US nears $100 billion arms deal for Saudi Arabia

[Amaa'n]

They are not the only one believe me you almost forgot turkey which is a nato country they would even die for democracy without any price. Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina,Turkey,Kosovo,Bangladesh,Kazakhstan,Malaysia,indonesia all of them recognised the state of Israel as a independent state so please don't talk about islam please which islam is this please it's so sad !!

You high bro? i don't see where Islam & Israel came out of that comment of his,

 

[Penguin]

KSA interest in destroyers with ABM capabilities was confused with the tailor made LCS.. all that was shelved.. the price of $11 billion for 4 LCS and the delivery dates did not fit the Saudi requirements, also because they wanted AEGIS and SM-3 and 6, so there is no point discussing this, let's wait and see..

Saudi Arabia and Lockheed Martin have reached a $6 billion deal for the acquisition of four littoral combat ships, according to a Bloomberg report.

The report said that the signed letter of agreement included a better-armed version of the Freedom-variant LCS Lockheed Martin’s industry team is building for the U.S. Navy.

The export variant of the U.S. Navy LCS is referred to as the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) by Lockheed Martin.

An official announcement on the agreement or any confirmation of it could be expected to come as early as Saturday, Bloomberg wrote citing persons familiar with the deal.

The acquisition of littoral combat ships is part of the Saudi Arabian government’s naval modernization program and the sale of the four ships had already been approved by the US State Department in 2015.

The approved possible arms sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia included four MMSC ships that would include COMBATSS-21 combat management systems with five TRS-4D radars. Also included were eight MK-41 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) (two eight-cell assemblies per ship for 16 cells per hull) and 532 tactical RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM).

Saudi Arabia also requested a possible sale of Harpoon launchers, MK-15 Mod 31 SeaRAM CIWS and MK-75 76mm OTO Melara Gun Systems.

http://navaltoday.com/2017/05/19/saudi-arabia-buying-lockheeds-lcs-under-6-billion-deal-report/
Follows earlier http://navaltoday.com/2015/10/21/us-authorizes-sale-of-four-warships-to-saudi-arabia/

Italian frigate pulls into Dammam, Saudi Arabia
http://www.navaltoday.com/?p=138833
Italian frigate takes up duties after promotional tour
http://www.navaltoday.com/?p=139363

The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Raytheon a $64.6 million contract for design agent engineering and technical support services for the Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS), SeaRAM, and land-based Phalanx weapon system.

CIWS is a fast-reaction terminal defense against low- and high-flying, high-speed maneuvering anti-ship missile threats that have penetrated all other defenses.

The system is an integral element of the fleet defense in-depth concept and the ship self-defense program.

Operating either autonomously or integrated with a combat system, it is an automatic terminal defense weapon system designed to detect, track, engage, and destroy anti-ship missile threats penetrating outer defense envelopes.

According to the department of defense, this contract involves foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, Portugal and Greece. It also has options which, if exercised, could bring the contract value to $398.6 million.

http://navaltoday.com/2016/12/21/raytheon-gets-64-4m-for-ciws-design-engineering-and-support/

Lürssen Defence, a German naval shipbuilder, is clinging on to an over-a-billion Euro offshore patrol vessel contract with Saudi Arabia amidst the uproar caused by recent executions in the Gulf country.

Responding to the talks about sanctions and a possible stop of military exports, the German newspaper Die Welt quoted a media representative of the company saying that the newbuild contract represented a significant contribution to the company’s utilization.

The shipyard, which employs 300 workers, has been constructing the 100 to 146 patrol boats for Saudi Arabia for roughly a year now. The contract, as it currently stands, would keep the company safe for several years.

According to the Ostsee-Zeitung, the major of Wolgast, the shipyard’s hometown, said an export-halt would be disastrous and that the shipyard was one of the biggest employers in the region.

German politicians criticized the executions in Saudi Arabia sharply and proposed a ban on military exports to the country. A Wolgast representative in the German Council reasoned that the patrol vessel was essentially “not war technology in a traditional sense” but more of a policing instrument used to protect the state’s coastal region.

http://navaltoday.com/2016/01/06/ge...pv-delivery-in-reaction-to-public-executions/

 

[The SC]

@Penguin

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

Maybe you can shed some light on this!

 

[The SC]

This must've been going on way before Trump started complaining about Saudi Arabia needing to pay for US' military umbrella protection. I don't think a deal that included a list of this magnitude, along with THAAD was something that was put together right after Trump's recent gabbling about Saudia needing to pay more.

Either way, very impressive contract. Saudi Arabia should make the US include the F-35 in a deal this big. Take it or leave it!

Indeed, Obama had proposed a $100 billion deal too, but Saudis took only $29 billion from it.. the rest, first they wanted ToT and second, some systems they wanted were not for sale, like the AEGIS and the SM-6, who came to be marketed for export (on Saudi insistence) to some very close allies of the US, very shortly before Trump's coming to power..
There are rumours from US sources that the deal will include up to 200 F-35s..

 

[Penguin]

@Penguin

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

Maybe you can shed some light on this!

The original $11.25 billion authorization included:

• 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
• 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

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kingdom-saudi-arabia-multi-mission-surface-combatant-mmsc-ships

See also http://www.navyrecognition.com/inde...lti-mission-surface-combatant-mmsc-ships.html

IMHO, while Lockheed Martin's displayed a model of the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant at Euronaval 2012 that has An/SPY-1F "Aegis light" and 2 AN/SPG-62 illuminators, it is my understanding this was not per se the version for Saudia Arabia. The original authorization has all the same items you mentioned, but for AN/SPY-1F and SM2. Rather, authorization is for TRS-4D radars and ESSM. Details of the ship for Saudi Arabia became apparent from the USNI publication of another model. I suspect this has not changed but the remainder of the 'order' (e.g. services) has been toned down, either in what is purchased or the price of purchase.

https://news.usni.org/2016/05/18/new-saudi-frigate-design-details-emerge

rather than LSCi (which has AN/SPY-1F, 2x2=4 8-cell VLSs rather than 2x1=2, but no SeaRAM)

http://politikus.ru/articles/74895-kontrakt-veka-ili-mirazh-pustyni.html
For English language version, use: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=nl&ie=UTF-8&u=http://politikus.ru/articles/74895-kontrakt-veka-ili-mirazh-pustyni.html&edit-text=

On all three MMCS variants (even the one with AN/SPY-1F), the AAW missile is ESSM and not SM2

Indeed, Obama had proposed a $100 billion deal too, but Saudis took only $29 billion from it.. the rest, first they wanted ToT and second, some systems they wanted were not for sale, like the AEGIS and the SM-6, who came to be marketed for export (on Saudi insistence) to some very close allies of the US, very shortly before Trump's coming to power..
There are rumours from US sources that the deal will include up to 200 F-35s..

People of often confuse the State Department determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale with an actual sale. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency then delivers the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. Then the governments, producers and contractors can work out a deal. But this doesn't have to be the same as in the notification. For example, a few years back, a decommissioned Spruance destroyer , USS Cushing, was authorized for Pakistan. However, Pakistan never took this up, even though the transfer was autorized, and the ship was sunk as a target in 2009. Pakistan did later pick up McInerney (Perry class frigate) that became PNS Alamgir.

 

[The SC]

The original $11.25 billion authorization included:

• 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
• 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

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kingdom-saudi-arabia-multi-mission-surface-combatant-mmsc-ships

See also http://www.navyrecognition.com/inde...lti-mission-surface-combatant-mmsc-ships.html

IMHO, while Lockheed Martin's displayed a model of the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant at Euronaval 2012 that has An/SPY-1F "Aegis light" and 2 AN/SPG-62 illuminators, it is my understanding this was not per se the version for Saudia Arabia. The original authorization has all the same items you mentioned, but for AN/SPY-1F and SM2. Rather, authorization is for TRS-4D radars and ESSM. Details of the ship for Saudi Arabia became apparent from the USNI publication of another model. I suspect this has not changed but the remainder of the 'order' (e.g. services) has been toned down, either in what is purchased or the price of purchase.

https://news.usni.org/2016/05/18/new-saudi-frigate-design-details-emerge

rather than LSCi (which has AN/SPY-1F, 2x2=4 8-cell VLSs rather than 2x1=2, but no SeaRAM)

http://politikus.ru/articles/74895-kontrakt-veka-ili-mirazh-pustyni.html
For English language version, use: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=nl&ie=UTF-8&u=http://politikus.ru/articles/74895-kontrakt-veka-ili-mirazh-pustyni.html&edit-text=

On all thre MMCS variants (even the one with AN/SPY-1F), the AAW missile is ESSM and not SM2

People of often confuse the State Department determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale with an actual sale. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency then delivers the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. Then the governments, producers and contractors can work out a deal. But this doesn't have to be the same as in the notification. For example, a few years back, a decommissioned Spruance destroyer , USS Cushing, was authorized for Pakistan. However, Pakistan never took this up, even though the transfer was autorized, and the ship was sunk as a target in 2009. Pakistan did later pick up McInerney (Perry class frigate) that became PNS Alamgir.

The new deal mentions an option for another four, so we might see a mix of radars and missiles distributed on different ships..
Isn't the ESSM Quad-Packed? meaning 8 cells will hold 64 missiles, that lives another 8 cells to hold different missiles.. assuming it is the 16 per ship VLS, but there was an LCS design of 32 VLS per ship:

Israel did step up in July 2008, and confirmed its request for an LCS-I based on Team Lockheed’s design. Israel’s variant was very different from LCS 1 Freedom, however; it featured a fixed set of weaponry rather than full mission module spaces, and it proposed SPY-1 AEGIS or MF-STAR radar and weapons array and made it far more capable in critical roles like air defense and ship to ship warfare. As noted above, similar changes have been a common theme among international LCS offerings, but an estimated ship cost of over $700 million eventually pushed Israel to rethink its plans. That country is now pursuing cheaper options based on Blohm + Voss’ MEKO family of corvettes and frigates, or South Korean designs. The Freedom Class also lost the Thai competition.

The funniest yet is this is also called an LCS:

Now as per the latest news or rumours since no official news are revealed yet:
The Saudi Ships will be some Quasi-DDGs, they will have:

1- combatss21 linked to naval C4I

2- TRS-4D AESA radar

3- RGM-84 block2 with a range of 275 km (8 missiles per Ship)

4- RIM-166 with a range of 50 km (32 missiles per ship)

5- RIM-166 with a range of 9 km (11 missiles per ship)

6- MH-60R (1 per ship)

7- an/slq-25a anti-torpedo decoys and other systems

 

[theman111]

thats how they want to establish defence industry buy 350 bilion dollars weapons?

Indeed, Obama had proposed a $100 billion deal too, but Saudis took only $29 billion from it.. the rest, first they wanted ToT and second, some systems they wanted were not for sale, like the AEGIS and the SM-6, who came to be marketed for export (on Saudi insistence) to some very close allies of the US, very shortly before Trump's coming to power..
There are rumours from US sources that the deal will include up to 200 F-35s..

they will not get f 35

 

[Penguin]

The new deal mentions an option for another four, so we might see a mix of radars and missiles distributed on different ships..

Its possible

Isn't the ESSM Quad-Packed? meaning 8 cells will hold 64 missiles, that lives another 8 cells to hold different missiles.. assuming it is the 16 per ship VLS,

Indeed, 2x8 cells > 16 cells, with 4 missiles each = 64 missiles.

but there was an LCS design of 32 VLS per ship:

Yes, that was in the link I posted. That is the biggest of the three MMCS variants.
And as indicated, this would also use ESSM. But it could for example also use VL Asroc (2x8), while retaining 2x8 x 4 = 64 ESSM. With the extensible launcher systems (ExLS) Mk41 can fire all manner of missiles e.g. quadpack RAM, quadpack Nulka missile decoy and others e.g. for fire support.

Israel did step up in July 2008, and confirmed its request for an LCS-I based on Team Lockheed’s design. Israel’s variant was very different from LCS 1 Freedom, however; it featured a fixed set of weaponry rather than full mission module spaces, and it proposed SPY-1 AEGIS or MF-STAR radar and weapons array and made it far more capable in critical roles like air defense and ship to ship warfare. As noted above, similar changes have been a common theme among international LCS offerings, but an estimated ship cost of over $700 million eventually pushed Israel to rethink its plans. That country is now pursuing cheaper options based on Blohm + Voss’ MEKO family of corvettes and frigates, or South Korean designs. The Freedom Class also lost the Thai competition.

Yep the Israeli's are getthe German Mekko ships called Saar 6.

The funniest yet is this is also called an LCS:

What is so funny about that? For the SSC requirement, an uparmed version has been proposed already.
See http://www.navyrecognition.com/inde...igate-design-with-16x-anti-ship-missiles.html

Austal Frigate specifications:
Length: 419 ft
Beam: 104 ft
Draft: 15 ft
Full load displacement: Approx. 3,500 Tons
Speed: More than 32 knots
Range: More than 4,300 nm @ 12 kts
Berthing: 130
Mission bay size: 7,000 square ft
Watercraft operations: 2x 7 meters RHIBS. Launch and recovery up to sea state 3
Flight operations: 1x H-60, up to sea state 5
Hangar:1x H-60 and 1x MQ-8C
Sensors: 3D search radar, 2x navigation radars, EO/IR fire control optics, variable depth sonar, multi-function towed array, electronic surveillance
Processing systems: COMBATSS 21 CMS, AN/SQQ-89 undersea warfare system, integrated bridge control system, automated machinery and damage control systems
Armament: SeaRAM, Mk110 57mm gun, 6x .50 cal guns, NULKA, 16x OTH missiles, 2x 25/30mm cannons, Helllfire AGM-114 missiles, torpedo countermeasures, 2x Mk41 launchers
Propulsion: 2x GE LM2500 gas turbines, 2x MTU 20V8000 diesel engines, 4x Wartsila steerabe, reversing waterjets.

Now as per the latest news or rumours since no official news are revealed yet:
The Saudi Ships will be some Quasi-DDGs, they will have:

1- combatss21 linked to naval C4I

2- TRS-4D AESA radar

3- RGM-84 block2 with a range of 275 km (8 missiles per Ship)

4- RIM-166 with a range of 50 km (32 missiles per ship)

5- RIM-166 with a range of 9 km (11 missiles per ship)

6- MH-60R (1 per ship)

7- an/slq-25a anti-torpedo decoys and other systems

When did Harpoon block II suddenly turn into Harpoon block II+ ER? > Source?

 

[The SC]

Its possible

Indeed, 2x8 cells > 16 cells, with 4 missiles each = 64 missiles.



Yes, that was in the link I posted. That is the biggest of the three MMCS variants.
And as indicated, this would also use ESSM. But it could for example also use VL Asroc (2x8), while retaining 2x8 x 4 = 64 ESSM. With the extensible launcher systems (ExLS) Mk41 can fire all manner of missiles e.g. quadpack RAM, quadpack Nulka missile decoy and others e.g. for fire support.


Yep the Israeli's are getthe German Mekko ships called Saar 6.


What is so funny about that? For the SSC requirement, an uparmed version has been proposed already.
See http://www.navyrecognition.com/inde...igate-design-with-16x-anti-ship-missiles.html

Austal Frigate specifications:
Length: 419 ft
Beam: 104 ft
Draft: 15 ft
Full load displacement: Approx. 3,500 Tons
Speed: More than 32 knots
Range: More than 4,300 nm @ 12 kts
Berthing: 130
Mission bay size: 7,000 square ft
Watercraft operations: 2x 7 meters RHIBS. Launch and recovery up to sea state 3
Flight operations: 1x H-60, up to sea state 5
Hangar:1x H-60 and 1x MQ-8C
Sensors: 3D search radar, 2x navigation radars, EO/IR fire control optics, variable depth sonar, multi-function towed array, electronic surveillance
Processing systems: COMBATSS 21 CMS, AN/SQQ-89 undersea warfare system, integrated bridge control system, automated machinery and damage control systems
Armament: SeaRAM, Mk110 57mm gun, 6x .50 cal guns, NULKA, 16x OTH missiles, 2x 25/30mm cannons, Helllfire AGM-114 missiles, torpedo countermeasures, 2x Mk41 launchers
Propulsion: 2x GE LM2500 gas turbines, 2x MTU 20V8000 diesel engines, 4x Wartsila steerabe, reversing waterjets.


When did Harpoon block II suddenly turn into Harpoon block II+ ER? > Source?

Was my mistake meant 8 cells with 4 each = 32, that leaves another 8 cells for other missiles.. but I was thinking also about the 32 VLS version with 16 cells containing 64 ESSM which leaves another 16 cells for other missiles..

Nothing funny about the "other" LCS stealth, it is funny in a sense that it might confuse some people..

I have no Idea, it was just a report I have I red somewhere, rumours at that, nothing is confirmed, it is just a possibility.. and why not Harpoon block II+ ER? it is also OK if it is just Harpoon block II isn't it? is it about the range?

 

[Penguin]

I have no Idea, it was just a report I have I red somewhere, rumours at that, nothing is confirmed, it is just a possibility.. and why not Harpoon block II+ ER? it is also OK if it is just Harpoon block II isn't it? is it about the range?

Boeing’s Harpoon Block II+ER extended range anti-ship missile is on track for final Operational Test shot firing this year (2017). This in preparation for deployment on the Navy’s F/A-18 and P-8A Increment III version of the Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Initial operational capability of the Block II+ is planned for mid-year.

Using the airframe of a Block 1C, the net-enabled Block II+ER has twice the range f a Block 1C version plus a new warhead. This allows existing stockpile of Block 1Cs to be easily migrated to the Block II+ER.

As a net-enabled weapon with a jam-resistant Global Positioning System capability and capacity to receive target updates in real time via Link 16, the Block II+ can be tied into the Navy Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air architecture, Rutherford said, and give the Navy more distributed lethality, one of the surface fleet’s top priorities. The all-weather radar seeker has a sensitivity 10 times that of the Block 1C

Troy Rutherford, Boeing’s director of cruise missile systems, told Seapower Jan. 10 that there is a lot of interest in the extended-range capability from foreign nations that already deploy the Harpoon.

 

[vostok]

For that money you can colonize the Moon!

 

[Penguin]

For that money you can colonize the Moon!

... and launch Harpoon Block II+ ER from it!

Great idea!

 

[Alithemoor1]

For that money you can colonize the Moon!

What is the use of colonising the moon if you don't have the adequate military equipment to defend your country?

 

[dani958]

they think they can have defence industry they can buy technologies not to develop them

 

[dani958]

Well, if you go back to the Saudi vision of 2030, they want to be able to have at least 35 to 50% localised weapons technologies, meaning that they want to do it spread on a certain amount of time while they are making their industries capable of achieving that objective..So eventually they will be able to absorb the new technologies in their system, KSA is working on it day and night.. this is a very serious matter for the Area as a whole..
With ToT, there will be JV with the biggest American weapons manufacturers, so there will be more American jobs created both in the US as well as in KSA.. Deals like these are strategic deals in the sense that in this particular case of US/KSA(read GCC), it will allow the latter to be a part of the American Militaro-Industrial complex much deeper than it is now..
And also not to forget that they are not buying only ToT, actually they are buying the most sophisticated weapon systems that can be bought to defend themselves, their allies and to protect their huge assets..

They need a technological infrastructure like what Israel does not have

they need to focus on defence industry not buy every thing you can thats the main deal