Saudi Arabia is poised to become first foreign buyer of Lockheed Martin’s [LMT] Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship after receiving State Department approval for a four-ship order.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced today that Congress had been notified of an estimated $11.25 billion sale that includes four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) ships— the name given to the Saudi LCS variant—and associated equipment, parts and logistical support. Congress has 30 days to block the potential sale.
The MMSC, like its U.S. brethren, will be outfitted with Lockheed Martin’s COMBATSS-21 Combat Management System.
Each ship with have two, eight-cell MK-41 Vertical Launch Systems, two Harpoon launchers, a MK-75 76mm gun and the AN/SWG-l Harpoon ship command launch control system. It will be equipped with an RS-4D radar, the Compact Low Frequency Active Passive Variable Depth Sonar, a AN/UPX-29 system that can identify friendly ships and the MK-15 Mod 31 SeaRAM Close-In Weapon System.
The package also includes 532 RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, 48 RGM-84 Harpoon Block II Missiles, 188 RIM 116C Block II Rolling Airframe Missiles and 48 50-caliber machine guns.
Through the Saudi Naval Expansion Program, the Royal Saudi Navy’s Eastern Fleet has sought new warships to counter Iranian naval presence in the Persian Gulf.
“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,” the DSCA release announcing the sale stated.
Over the past few years, Lockheed Martin has promoted its international LCS offering under the name MMSC. Unlike the modular single-mission U.S. version, the international variant would have equipment for several missions permanently installed. Lockheed Martin officials said in 2014 that the first foreign sale could surface in less than a year.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to provide the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with four multi-mission surface combatants (MMSC), based on the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship,” Lockheed spokesman Keith Little said in a statement. “We look forward to working with both navies in developing a low-risk, cost effective approach that delivers value back to the customers.”