Saudi Arabia Offering $800M to Upgrade its C-130s
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress that Saudi Arabia wishes to purchase upgrade kits and services for 54 C-130E/H Hercules aircraft, as well as associated equipment and services. The total value of this contract, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $800 million.
Saudi Arabia wants to be able to meet current requirements to operate in civil airspace. The Avionics Modernization Program upgrade includes navigation and communications equipment, LCD displays with a heads-up display, software development/integration, associated support equipment, modification kits, spare and repair parts, test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment. It also includes U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services and other related elements of logistics support.
The prime contractor will be the Boeing Company of Long Beach, CA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale, and implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of up to 18 U.S. Government and contractor representatives for one-week intervals twice annually to participate in training, program management and technical review.
The number of U.S. Government personnel and contractor representatives required in-country to support the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program will be determined in joint negotiations as the program proceeds through the assessment and installation phases. DSCA Release (HTML version)
