US approves military sales to Saudi Arabia: The US State Department has approved two potential military sales to Saudi Arabia totaling USD 1 bn to provide aviation training and logistics support, according to separate statements. The agreements are intended to strengthen the operations of the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Corps.

#1- Logistics support: The first agreement (pdf), valued at an estimated USD 500 mn, covers a logistics package to supply spare parts and repairs. The package is designed to support the maintenance of the Kingdom’s fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, and CH-47F Chinook helicopters, as well as other aircraft.

#2- Training services: The second USD 500 mn approval (pdf) is for an aviation training services program, including comprehensive flight and maintenance training led by US Army instructors for crews operating AH-64E Apache, CH-47F Chinook, UH-72A Lakota, and UH-60L/M Black Hawk helicopters.

IN CONTEXT- Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s visit to Washington is starting to bear fruit. The visit saw the signing of a US-Saudi strategic defense agreement facilitating access for US defense firms into Saudi Arabia and securing “burden-sharing” funds from the Kingdom, as well as a defense sale package that included future deliveries of the long-anticipated F-35 jets and an agreement to sell nearly 300 US tanks.

  • Saudi was also designated as a major non-Nato ally, paving the way for more financing and priority access for military equipment, as well as participation in joint research efforts.
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