Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : The new MMSC Ships deal

[The SC]

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) Ships

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2015 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) Ships and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $11.25 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 19, 2015.

The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a naval modernization program to include the sale of Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) ships and program office support. The Multi-Mission Surface Combatant program will consist of:

Four (4) MMSC ships (a derivative of the Freedom Variant of the U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Class) that incorporate five (5) COMBATSS-21 Combat Management Systems (four (4) installed, one (1) spare) with five (5) TRS-4D Radars (four (4) installed, one (1) spare)

Five (5) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) (Mode 4- and Mode 5-capable) UPX-29 (four (4) installed, one (1) spare)

Five (5) Compact Low Frequency Active Passive Variable Depth Sonar (four (4) installed, one (1) spare)

Eight (8) MK-41 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) (two (2) eight-cell assemblies per ship for 16 cells per hull)

Five-hundred thirty-two (532) tactical RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) (one hundred twenty-eight (128) installed, twenty (20) test and training rounds, three hundred eighty-four (384) spares)

Five (5) AN/SWG-l (V) Harpoon Ship Command Launch Control Systems (four (4) installed (one (1) per ship), one (1) spare)

Eight (8) Harpoon Shipboard Launchers (two (2) installed four-tube assemblies per ship)

Forty-eight (48) RGM-84 Harpoon Block II Missiles (thirty-two (32) installed, sixteen (16) test and training rounds)

Five (5) MK-15 Mod 31 SeaRAM Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) (four (4) installed, one (1) spare)

One-hundred eighty-eight (188) RIM 116C Block II Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) (forty-four (44) installed, twelve (12) test and training rounds, one hundred thirty-two (132) spares)

Five (5) MK-75 76mm OTO Melara Gun Systems (four (4) installed, one (1) spare)

Forty-eight (48) 50-caliber machine guns (forty (40) installed (ten (10) per ship), eight (8) spares); ordnance; and Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Global Positioning System/Precise Positioning Service (GPS/PPS) navigation equipment

Also included in this sale in support of the MMSC are: study, design and construction of operations; support and training facilities; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communications equipment employing Link 16 equipment; Fire Control System/Ceros 200 Sensor and Illuminator; 20mm Narwhal Gun; Nixie AN/SLQ-25A Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System; MK-32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes; WBR-2000 Electronic Support Measure and Threat Warning System; Automatic Launch of Expendables (ALEX) Chaff and Decoy-Launching System; ARC-210 Radios; Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS); Automated Digital Network System; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

In addition, this case will provide overarching program office support for the SNEP II to include: U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support, and other related elements of program support to meet necessities for program execution. The estimated value of MDE is $4.3 billion. The total estimated cost is $11.25 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner, which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This acquisition will enhance the stability and maritime security in the sea areas around the Arabian Peninsula and support strategic objectives of the United States.

The proposed sale will provide Saudi Arabia with an increased ability to meet current and future maritime threats from enemy weapon systems. The Multi-Mission Surface Combatant ships will provide protection-in-depth for critical industrial infrastructure and for the sea lines of communication. Saudi Arabia will use the enhanced capability to keep pace with the rapid advances in technology and to remain a viable U.S. coalition partner in the region.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor for the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant will be Lockheed Martin Corporation of Bethesda, Maryland. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of additional U.S. Government and/or contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia.

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

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

http://dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kingdom-saudi-arabia-multi-mission-surface-combatant-mmsc-ships
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[The SC]

This was apparently modified in the new deal to comprise:

- SPY-1F Radar which is a smaller version of the SPY-1D Radar, it comprises some AEGIS system components, with the possibility of linking it with other combat ships sensors and Land defence systems like THAAD

- 16 (likely 32 cells) VLS Mk 41

- Air defence SeaRAM

- Most probably Air defense SM-2

- COMBATSS-21 system

- Harpoon anti-ship launchers, 2 per launcher containing 4 missiles

This how it went from LCS to MMSC

 

[YeBeWarned]

Why KSA is not Buying Submarines ? and at least 2 Amphibious assault craft ..

 

[The SC]

Why KSA is not Buying Submarines ? and at least 2 Amphibious assault craft ..

It has the intention to buy submarines, Germany refused the type 209 deal for a big number of submarines, but rumours are that KSA might get the type 2016 made in the US!
for the Amphibious Assault crafts KSA was alo in the bid for the 2 Mistral that Egypt has bought, so the interest is there.. they will likely buy some with ToT from South Korea..

 

[YeBeWarned]

It has the intention to buy submarines, Germany refused the type 209 deal for a big number of submarines, but rumours are that KSA might get the type 2016 made in the US!
for the Amphibious Assault crafts KSA was alo in the bid for the 2 Mistral that Egypt has bought, so the interest is there.. they will likely buy some with ToT from South Korea..

well they need a Stronger Navy, I hope they wont repeat the same Mistakes which Muslim Armies have done in Past .. Poor Navy among all other Powers make them weaker

 

[The SC]

well they need a Stronger Navy, I hope they wont repeat the same Mistakes which Muslim Armies have done in Past .. Poor Navy among all other Powers make them weaker

They are working hard on it, with 4 plus option for another 4 very advanced modified LCS, P-8 Poseidon and Sea hawks as additions to what already exists, plus deals with Spain and France for Naval corvettes, plus JVs to establish Ship building in KSA, both civilian and military..

 

[AmirPatriot]

This was apparently modified in the new deal to comprise:

- SPY-1F Radar which is a smaller version of the SPY-1D Radar, it comprises some AEGIS system components, with the possibility of linking it with other combat ships sensors and Land defence systems like THAAD

- 16 (likely 32 cells) VLS Mk 41

- Air defence SeaRAM

- Most probably Air defense SM-2

- COMBATSS-21 system

- Harpoon anti-ship launchers, 2 per launcher containing 4 missiles

This how it went from LCS to MMSC

It would be quite a stretch to fit 32 Mk-41 cells inside an LCS size ship. It really wasn't designed to carry that many. What's your source?

I think it's much more likely the ship has 16 cells, which would be quad packed with ESSM to give a total of 64 missiles.

Maybe @Penguin could give some insight.

 

[flamer84]

It has the intention to buy submarines, Germany refused the type 209 deal for a big number of submarines, but rumours are that KSA might get the type 2016 made in the US!
for the Amphibious Assault crafts KSA was alo in the bid for the 2 Mistral that Egypt has bought, so the interest is there.. they will likely buy some with ToT from South Korea..

Type 216 made in the US? These are fantasies,sry.

 

[klaus959]

Type 216 made in the US? These are fantasies,sry.

They get something other's

 

[klaus959]

They are working hard on it, with 4 plus option for another 4 very advanced modified LCS, P-8 Poseidon and Sea hawks as additions to what already exists, plus deals with Spain and France for Naval corvettes, plus JVs to establish Ship building in KSA, both civilian and military..

You forgot the destroyers!!!!

 

[klaus959]

It has the intention to buy submarines, Germany refused the type 209 deal for a big number of submarines, but rumours are that KSA might get the type 2016 made in the US!
for the Amphibious Assault crafts KSA was alo in the bid for the 2 Mistral that Egypt has bought, so the interest is there.. they will likely buy some with ToT from South Korea..

They have a deal with japan for 3 LHD's
Subs are on their ways but not from germany !

 

[klaus959]

Why KSA is not Buying Submarines ? and at least 2 Amphibious assault craft ..

They have a joint venture with japan for 3 LHD's it will be finalised in the near future

 

[Alithemoor1]

They have a joint venture with japan for 3 LHD's it will be finalised in the near future

Any sources on this?

 

[klaus959]

Any sources on this?

Only Arabic but not easy to find as the government don't won't to discuss it publicly!

 

[The SC]

They have a deal with japan for 3 LHD's
Subs are on their ways but not from germany !

I was thinking about the Japanese LHDs but I thought that since KSA has many JVs with South Korea that will be the most likely choice.. I like the Japanese LHDs, it will be nice for KSA to have them with ToT obviously..
Rumours go for French submarines, but German Subs(Type-216 not produced yet) is quite a possibility if the US signs a deal for its frame design and engines supply and mount it in the US with US equipments then sells it to KSA..

Japanese LHD

South Korean LHD

Type-216

Scorpene