Saudi Arabia defence and security procurement news

Saudi Arabia strengthens defence and security links with Europe

Saudi Arabian government officials held two important talks recently with French and Spanish defence officials on a multi billion Dollar border surveillance contract to be awarded by Saudi Interior Ministry soon.

In Madrid the Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz met Spain's Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba. They signed a bilateral agreement which is aimed at "developing and strengthening military co-operation." Highlighted topics also included training as well as scientific and technical co-operation.

AFP News reported that the French Defence Minister Herve Morin had "very positive" talks with King Abdullah and defence officials covering the structure of Saudi-French co-operation on a military level.

Discussions included the proposed sale of FREMM frigates, Fennecs, Cougars and MH90 helicopters to the Saudi Arabia.
Defence Minister Morin also discussed the possibility of a French participation in a Saudi security fence project, planned for the northern Saudi border. French Thales and Franco-German EADS and the Raytheon Corporation as well as other "big players" are bidding for this contract.

The project also includes the construction of military bases and checkpoints as well as thermal imaging and radar equipment along the border. Nawaf Obaid, head of the National Security Assessment Project, an independent research institute, said, "the project will cost about $12 billion. Of this sum, $500 million will be allocated to the building of the fence."

The Saudi Interior Ministry is expected to award the security fence contract soon.

Saudi M1113 Fleet Upgrades Underway

Saudi Arabia has an Armoured Brigade currently armed with US equipment like M1 Abrams tanks, M2 and Bradleys AFVs. It also has a separate brigade with French equipment including AMX-30 tanks, AMX-10P APCs, etc.

This approach helps supplier continuity and creates wider markers for geopolitical favours, at the cost of increased maintenance burdens, and potential logistical and interoperability headaches. Which are generally outsourced via comprehensive maintenance contracts.

In August 2006, the BAE joint venture FNSS of Ankara, Turkey won a $200+ million modernization deal involving a major overhaul of 300 Saudi M113 armoured personnel carriers, out of the kingdom's fleet of 1,750-2,000. The overhaul includes everything from engines, to chemical warfare protection systems, to new thermal imaging equipment. FNSS had already delivered 64 upgraded M113s over 2004 and in 2005, and 90% of the engineers at the Saudi final assembly facilities near Sadr Al Kharj were reportedly trained by FNSS engineers.

Also this month MTU Friedrichshafen announced an order from FNSS to provide 300 new engines, as part of the Saudi M113 upgrade program. The EUR 10 million contract will see Detroit Diesel's 260-kW/ 350 bhp Series 6V53T 6-cylinder engine design used to equip the upgraded vehicles