Saudi Arabia Orders Armored Vehicles and Proceeds With Typhoon Fighter Aircraft

After several years of finding the right candidate, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS), the Canadian division of general Dynamics from the United States, has received a $10 billion contract from Saudi Arabia for armored vehicles. With options included, the contract increases by another $3 billion.

The vehicles are to be a new design, but in order to enter production in 2016, the vehicles will likely have to make use to a certain extent of existing designs. GDLS currently manufactures the eight-wheeled Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) for Canada, which is derived from the Swiss Piranha family of armored vehicles.

In addition, GDLS manufactures parts for the American Stryker, which in turn is based on the LAV. The four-wheeled Ocelot is produced for the United Kingdom. The vehicles can be fitted with a range of weapons such as the TOW missiles which Saudi Arabia will have in large quantities.

Regardless, the vehicles will be designed and developed to meet Saudi Arabia's specific needs and local conditions. To cover the vast distances of flat, open and undeveloped terrain, the vehicles will need to be fast and relatively light with good off-road capability, sufficient range and able to deal with hot, dusty desert conditions.

Possible Sale of Over 15000 TOW Missiles to Saudi Arabia

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the United States Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) for Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) 2A/2B Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles to Saudi Arabia, which includes:

• 9650 BGM-71 2A TOW RF missiles
• 4145 BGM-71 2B TOW Aero RF missiles
• 91 TOW-2A Fly-to-Buy missiles
• 49 TOW-2B Fly-to-Buy missiles

The contract is worth $900 million and includes associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The DSCA has reported a second FMS to Saudi Arabia, which includes:

• 750 BGM-71 2B TOW missiles
• 7 Fly-to-Buy TOW 2B missiles
• 1000 BGM-71 2A TOW missiles
• 7 Fly-to-Buy TOW 2A missiles

This contract is worth $170 million and includes associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The TOW missile family from Raytheon is suitable for long-range, precision anti-armor, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious use. In Saudi Arabia, the TOW missiles are destined for the Royal Saudi Land Forces and National Guard.

US Preparing to Sell $10.8 Billion in Weapons to Saudi Arabia and the UAE

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) is seeking approval from the United States Congress to sell $10.8 Billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which has been in the works for some time.

The package is noteworthy because it includes several weapons types that will be exported to these countries for the first time. It will give both countries a level of precision strike that previously did not exist.

The package for Saudi Arabia is worth $6.8 billion and includes:

• 650 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missiles-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER)
• 973 AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW)
• 400 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles
• 1000 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB)
• 40 CATM-84H Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM)
• 20 ATM-84H SLAM-ER Telemetry Missiles
• 4 Dummy Air Training Missiles
• 60 AWW-13 Data Link pods
• 10 JSOW CATMs
• 40 Harpoon CATMs
• 20 ATM-84L Harpoon Exercise Missiles
• 36 SDB Captive Flight and Load Build trainers

Major Arms Deal in The Works Between The US, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

A major arms deal is in the works between the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The total value of all contracts is estimated at around $10 billion.

The deal is expected to be the main topic of discussion when US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visits the three countries starting in April 21. The arms purchases are intended to strengthen the armed forces of US allies in the Middle East against potential threats in the region.

Exact details are yet to be determined, but may include the following:

• Sale of the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to Israel. This would mark the first time the V-22 has been exported abroad.
• Sale of KC-135 refuelling aircraft to the Israeli Air Force. Israel currently does not operate any.
• Sale of 26 new F-16 fighter aircraft to the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has already ordered 80 F-16 Block 60, the most advanced version of the F-16 currently available.
• Possible sale to Saudi Arabia of the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), the latest version of the High-Speed Anti-Radar Missile (HARM) for suppression of enemy air defenses.

Israel receives billions of dollars in military aid each year from the United States, which presumably will be used to pay for the arms purchases. Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are major buyers of US weapons with major contracts signed in recent years.

In 2011, Saudi Arabia signed a $30 billion contract with the United States that included 84 Boeing F-15SA fighter jets, upgrade of 68 older F-15S to the SA standard, and 72 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The first F-15SA is expected to be delivered in 2013.

In 2011, the United Arab Emirates ordered the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defense system in a $3.49 billion deal to become the first country outside the United States to do so.


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-19/u-s-to-announce-10-billion-arms-sale-in-middle-east.html

By SSgt Brian Ferguson [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

By David Raykovitz [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

India again selects A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft

India has again selected Airbus Military as the preferred bidder to supply its A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport to the Indian Air Force (IAF) after a long and thorough selection process, which resulted in a prior selection being cancelled in 2010. The Ilyushin IL-78MK from Russia was the losing candidate in the competition.

A contract for the supply of 6 aircraft in 2013, as expected, would bring the number exported to 34 and make India the fifth country to use the A330 MRTT aircraft, following:

• Australia order for 5 of which 4 have been delivered,
• Saudi Arabia ordered 6,
• the United Arab Emirates ordered 3,
• the United Kingdom ordered 14 with 1 delivered. 

The aircraft would join six IL-78 refuelling aircraft already in service with the IAF.
The wide-body Airbus Military A330 MRTT aircraft can be used both as a tanker and transport aircraft and is derived from the civilian A330-200 airliner. It supports both the Boom Refuelling system and Hose and Drogue Pod Refuelling system.

As a transport aircraft, the A330 MRTT can carry up to 300 troops or a payload of up to 45 ton. It can also function in the Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) role with room for 130 stretchers.


Specifications
Crew: 3
Length: 58.80 m
Wingspan: 60.3 m
Height: 17.4 m
Maximum speed: 880 km/h
Cruise speed: 860 km/h
Range: 14800 km
Service ceiling: 12600 m
Empty weight: 125000 kg
Useful load: 45000 kg non-fuel payload
Max takeoff weight: 233000 kg
Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Trent 772B or General Electric CF6-80E1A4 or Pratt & Whitney PW 4168A turbofans, 320 kN (72,000 lbf) each
Fuel Capability: 111000 kg max, 65,000 kg at 1000 nmi with 2 hours on station

http://www.airbusmilitary.com/LatestNews/tabid/176/ArticleID/234/ArtMID/681/Airbus-Military-A330-MRTT-selected-by-Indian-Government-.aspx

By Peter Ellis [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

NORINCO PLZ91 / PLZ45 Self Propelled Gun / Howitzer artillery system

The PLZ45 is the export designation of the PLZ91 tracked Self-Propelled Gun / Howitzer  and developed by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) as a replacement for the 152 mm PLZ83. It was the first to adopt the French 155 mm gun standard, which is more compatible with the international arms market, instead of the previous Russian 152 mm standard.

The PLZ45 comes equipped with the same 45 caliber 155 mm gun found in the Type 89 or PLL01 towed gun / howitzer. The gun has a maximum rate of fire of 5 rounds per minute and is compatible with all standard 155 mm NATO rounds, including:

• ERFB/HE
• ERFB-BB/HE
• ERFB-BB/Cargo
• ERFB/Smoke
• ERFB/ILL
• ERFB/WP

The PLZ45 carries 30 rounds with 30 charges of ammunition. The turret can traverse 360 degrees and comes with a semi-automatic loader. It also carries a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun and two sets of four-barrel grenade launchers.

The PLZ45 has been exported to Bangladesh, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. However, except for limited numbers in a single battalion for training purposes, the PLZ91 has not been adopted by the Chinese army. Its role has been superseded in China by the more powerful PLZ-05 with a longer 54 caliber 155 mm gun.

PLZ45 specifications

Crew: 5
Weight: 33 tons
Length: 10.15 m
Width: 3.23 m
Height: 3.42 m
Ground Clearance: 0.45 m

Engine: air-cooled diesel 525 hp
Operational range on road: 450 km
Fuel tank capacity: 320 litre
Maximum Speed: 55 km/hr
Average Speed on road: 40 km/hr
Average Speed cross country: 30 km/hr