Saudi Arabia to purchase 14,000 TOW-2B anti-tank guided missiles from United States 0712135

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Defence & Security News - Saudi Arabia

 
 
 
Saturday, December 7, 2013 02:42 PM
 
Saudi Arabia to purchase 14,000 TOW-2B anti-tank guided missiles from United States.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of United States notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for tube-launched, optically-tracked wire-guided 2A/2B radio-frequency (RF) Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $900 million.
     
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of United States notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for tube-launched, optically-tracked wire-guided 2A/2B radio-frequency (RF) Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $900 million.
TOW-2B also features a dual mode sensor and is equipped with two new warheads.
     

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of 9,650 BGM-71 2A Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked Wire-Guided (TOW) Radio-Frequency (RF) missiles, 4,145 BGM-71 2B Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked Wire-Guided Aero RF missiles, 91 TOW-2A Fly-to-Buy missiles, 49 TOW-2B Fly-to-Buy missiles, containers, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $900 million.

The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a critical partner who has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will support the Ministry of the National Guard’s defense and counter-terrorism missions. The sale will also improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet and defeat current and future threats from enemy armored vehicles. Saudi Arabia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Saudi Arabia, which already has TOW missiles in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Corporation of Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).