On 11 October 2024 the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the US State Department had approved possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deals to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia covering Hellfire II anti-armour missiles, AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and ammunition for artillery systems, machine guns and tanks. The proposed sales have all been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
The proposed Hellfire FMS, which is worth an estimated USD 655 million (EUR 605.5 million), covers 2,503 AGM-114R3 Hellfire II missiles (three for lot acceptance testing), as well as spares, support and test equipment, software, documentation and various aspects of training, technical, logistics and programme support.
The proposed Sidewinder FMS deal, which is worth an estimated USD 251.8 million, covers 220 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical air-to-air missiles along with missile containers, spares, software and various aspects of training, technical, logistics and programme support.
The additional ammunition FMS, which is worth an estimated USD 139 million, covers 10,000 M456 series 105 mm high-explosive anti-tank tracer rounds; various types of tank, howitzer, and machine gun ammunition; propelling charges; fuzes; primers; grenades; support and test equipment; and various aspects of engineering, training, technical, logistics and programme support.
The DSCA stated that the Hellfire and ammunition FMSs will “improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats and improve interoperability with systems operated by US forces and other Gulf countries”, adding that “Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in its defensive capabilities is crucial to protecting its borders, energy infrastructure and its residents”.
Regarding the Sidewinder FMS, the DSCA stated that it would “improve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats, provide increased air defense capabilities, and support conducting self-defense and regional security missions in the Middle East”.
The principal contractor for the Hellfire FMS will be Lockheed Martin out of its facilities in Troy, Alabama, while the principal contractor for the Sidewinder FMS will be RTX Corporation out of its facilities in Arlington, Virginia.
The additional ammunition, meanwhile, will come from a combination of US Army stocks and new procurement, with the procurement vendors currently unspecified.
