The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of 74K Persistent Threat Detection System Aerostats to Saudi Arabia at an estimated cost of $525 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement on Monday.
The Saudi government has requested a possible sale of ten (10) 74K Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) Aerostats; fourteen (14) Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) Radars; twenty-six (26) MX-20 Electro-Optic Infrared (EO/IR) Cameras; and ten (10) Communications Intelligence (COMINT) Sensors. It also includes a request for Mooring systems and Ground Control Systems.
“This sale will increase the Royal Saudi Land Force’s interoperability with U.S. forces and conveys U.S. commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and armed forces,” the statement said.
“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces,” it added.
The Pentagon is required to notify Congress of such potential sales, and has done so on Monday, the State Department said in a statement.