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Thursday, November 16, 2006

New Engines for Saudi F-15S Fighters

US Defense Security Cooperation Agency
Nov 16, 2006 - 4:56:47 AM

WASHINGTON: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the government of Saudi Arabia of 155 General Electric (GE) F110-GE129 engines or 20 Pratt &Whitney F100-PW229 engines in support of F-15S aircraft.

The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of either option or a combination of: a) 155 General Electric (GE) F110-GE129 engines in support of F-15S aircraft; b) 20 Pratt & Whitney (P&W) F100-PW229 engines to restore/refurbish the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) current inventory of P&W engines; support equipment; engine improvement program services; flight tests; Technical Coordination Group/International Engine Management; Hush House refurbishment; aircraft integration; program management; publications; trainers; mission planning; training; spare and repair parts; repair and return services; contractor technical assistance and other related elements of logistics support.

The estimated cost is $1.5 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States (U.S.) by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic process in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will help overcome an ongoing sustainment problem with RSAF’s F-15S engines that has affected their air operations.

The RSAF is considering re-engining its 70 F-15S aircraft, or undertaking a massive recovery/re-sustainment plan of the current engines, or a combination of both. The potential sale will further U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by increasing RSAF F-15S aircraft operational capability, sustainability, and interoperability with USAF.

The relationships built during future flight training operations will enhance the USAF's influence and access within the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty implementing either option or combination thereof.

The replacement or restoration of F-15S engines will facilitate sustained RSAF interoperability with the USAF and enhance the RSAF’s ability to participate in coalition operations within the Gulf Cooperation Council region. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be General Electric Corporation of Fairfield, Connecticut and/or Pratt and Whitney of East Hartford, Connecticut. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will potentially require the assignment of up to 10 U.S. Government representatives and up to 10 contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia for approximately one week, semi-annually to participate in program support and technical reviews.

Implementation of this sale also will potentially require the assignment of several U.S. Government Quality Assurance Teams to Saudi Arabia for two weeks to assist in the delivery and deployment of the engines. In addition, there potentially will be approximately 15 contractors in Saudi Arabia providing technical assistance on a full time basis.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

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