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

UAE Buys 2 Optical Satellites From France

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed a contract in Abu Dhabi with France for the delivery of two optical reconnaissance satellites. The Falcon Eye satellite contract is valued at about 700 million Euros or about $900 million.

The decision had come down between France and the United States after several other countries has been eliminated earlier. The United States was led by Lockheed Martin.

The contract will be executed by Astrium, a subsidiary of of EADS, and Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between French Thales and Italian Finmeccanica. The two high-resolution Pléiades-class satellites will be delivered in 2017 and 2018.

The UAE contract is a much needed win for France, whose defense orders fell by over 25 percent in 2012. It may also help boost cooperation between France in the UAE on defense matters.

In addition to building the satellites and related control station, France will also launch the satellites into orbit. France will also assist with image processing software, transmission and encryption systems and intelligence interpretation and analysis training.

Although optical reconnaissance and surveillance satellites suffer from some drawbacks such as susceptibility to weather conditions, they've become much more affordable in recent years.

It is now possible for countries and even private companies to get their own highly detailed images that were impossible to obtain several decades ago except for a few intelligence services.

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uae-buys-two-french-surveillance-164255629.html

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

UAE signs 750 MRAP deal and other contracts worth $1.42 billion

The United Arab Emirates has signed 17 contracts worth 5.2 billion Dirham or roughly $1.42 billion, including:

• a 1.4 billion Dirham or $381 million contract with the Oshkosh Corporation from the United States for the delivery of 750 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All-Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs) in 2013
•  a 722 million Dirham or $196 million contract with General Atomics for export Predator XP unmanned aircraft
• a 720 million Dirham or $196 million contract with Tawazun for the purchase of CIRIT laser guided missiles
• a 472.7 million Dirham or $128.7 million contract with Russia’s KBP for the delivery of ammunition
• a 375.4 million Dirham or $102.2 million contract with the Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company for the installation of Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM)
• a 140 million Dirham or $38 million contract with the Italian Fincantieri to provide technical support for naval vessels it recently acquired

The M-ATV is lighter, smaller and more maneuverable than previous generation MRAP vehicles, while maintaining their levels of protection with its Plasan composite armored hull. The vehicle has a:

• length of 6.27 m
• width of 2.49 m
• speed of 105 km/hr
• range of 510 km
• maximum weight of 14700 kg

The Oshkosh M-ATV has been selected by the armed forces of the United States as its primary MRAP vehicle.

The Predator XP is an export version of the medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The Predator has:

• a length of 8.22 m
• a wingspan of 14.8 m
• a height of 2.1 m
• an empty weight of 512 kg
• a max takeoff weight of 1020 kg
• a max speed of 217 km/hr
• a max range of 1100 km
• a max endurance of 24 hrs

The Predator XP cannot be armed, but is suitable for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The CIRIT is an air-to-surface missile developed by Turkey's RoketSan for helicopters and UAVs. The missile has:

• a length of 1.9 m
• a diameter of 70 mm
• weighs 14 kg
• a warhead of 3 kg
• a maximum range of 8 km

The CIRIT is fitted with a semi-active laser-guided seeker.

Earlier this month, the UAE received the first of 3 A330 MRTT multi-role tanker and transport aircraft it ordered from Airbus. The UAE is also negotiating the potential purchase of the Typhoon or Rafale fighter aircraft, but no contract has been signed.


http://gulfnews.com/business/general/uae-armed-forces-sign-17-deals-1.1147973

By USAF [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By US Marine Corps [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By USAF [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By US Gov [public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Brazil Wants to Buy Russian Pantsir-S1 SPAAG and Igla-S MANPADS

According to Russian sources, General Jose Carlos De Nardi, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, is to discuss the acquisition of 3 batteries of Pantsir-S1 / SA-22 Greyhound systems and 2 batteries of 9K338 Igla-S / SA-24 Grinch Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS).

The Igla-S is the latest version of the 9K38 Igla, weighs 19 kg with a 2.5 kg warhead and comes with a two-color infrared seeker to engage targets at a distance of up to 6 km.

The Pantsir-S1 is a combined gun-missile Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) system from Russia's KBP Design Bureau and designed to succeed the Tunguska-M1 for short to medium range air defense.

The system is usually mounted on a 8 x 8 wheeled truck, but can be modified according to customer needs. A naval version also exists.

The Pantsir-S1 can detect targets at up to 36 km and normally comes with both a search and tracking radar. Targets can also be engaged through electro-optical means.

The Pantsir-S1 can engage targets at up to range of 20 km and an altitude of 15 km with 2 x 6 57E6 surface-to-air missiles guided by radio command. It can also engage targets at a maximum range of 4 km and a maximum altitude of 3 km with two dual 2A38M 30 mm guns.

The Pantsir-S1 has previously been exported to the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and Syria.


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130203/179202191/Brazil-Wants-to-Buy-Russian-Anti-Aircraft-Weaponry--Defense.html

By A.Savin [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

By Mike1979 Russia [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via 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

UAE receives Abu Dhabi ASW corvette and Ghantut FALAJ2 patrol vessel from Italy

The Abu Dhabi Anti-Submarine Warfare corvette and Ghantut FALAJ2 patrol vessel have been handed over to the United Arab Emirates Navy at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano, Italy.

The Abu Dhabi corvette features:

• a length of 88 m
• beam of 12 m
• displacement of 1650 ton
• speed of 25 kn
• range of 3000 nautical miles at 14 kn
• crew of 70
• capable of multiple missions, including patrol, surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and surface strike

The Ghantut patrol vessel incorporates a stealthy design with the following features:

• maximum speed in excess of 20 kn
• a length of 55 m
• a beam of 8.8 m
• a crew of 29 
• capable of multiple missions, including patrol, surveillance and surface strike

http://www.fincantieri.it/cms/data/browse/news/000486.aspx