The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) system upgrades and maintenance and associated equipment to Saudi Arabia.
Under the estimated $1.1bn sale, Saudi Arabia has requested upgrades and maintenance of a range of C4I system, including 109 Link-16 multifunction information distribution system low volume terminals (MIDS-LVT), global command and control systems-joint (GCCS-J), identification friend-or-foe (IFF), and commercial satellite communications (SATCOM).
The package also includes combined enterprise regional information exchange system (CENTRIXS) and follow-on systems, commercial high frequency (HF) radios, commercial ultra high frequency / very high frequency (UHF/VHF) radios, HF voice and data, HF sub-net relay (SNR), commercial HF internet protocol (IP)/SNR, global positioning system (GPS), and air defence system interrogator (ADSI).
Additional supplies include communications support equipment, information technology upgrades, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, as well as other elements of programme support.
Besides enhancing the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ (RSNF) capability to maintain and upgrade its existing C4I system, the potential sale is also expected to increase RSNF vessels and personnel’s ability to effectively protect Saudi Arabia’s coastal strategic assets, and keep pace with the rapid advances in C4I technology to remain a viable US coalition partner in the region.
The upgraded C4I systems are scheduled to be used by RSNF to provide situational awareness of naval activity in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.
In addition, the FMS contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the US by enhancing the security of a strategic regional partner, which continues to serve as an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The sale does not include any prime contractor, and the acquisition and integration of all systems is scheduled to be managed by the US Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Weapons Command (SPAWAR).
