U.S. Clears $1B Saudi Aviation Training, Logistics Package

The U.S. State Department approved two possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Saudi Arabia worth a combined $1 billion on Monday, with formal certifications delivered to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The first $500 million package covers blanket-order aviation training for the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Corps. The request includes initial through advanced rotary-wing flight and maintainer training conducted by U.S. Army instructors at U.S. training sites under the Army Training and Doctrine Command. Training will cover AH-64E Apache, CH-47F Chinook, UH-72A Lakota, and UH-60L/M Black Hawk helicopters.

A second $500 million proposal involves a Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement FMS order. The case would allow Saudi Arabia to requisition centrally managed spares and repair parts for its helicopter fleet, including UH-60A/L/M Black Hawk, AH-64A/D/E Apache, CH-47F Chinook, Schweizer 333, and Aerial Scout aircraft.