Saudi Arabia: Foreign military sale to SNEP-II

The US State Department on 20 October confirmed its approval for a foreign military sale (FMS) of multi-mission surface combatant (MMSC) ships to the Saudi Naval Expansion Programme II (SNEP-II) in a deal worth up to $11.25bn, including a very substantial weapons package, systems and support. The Defense Security Co-operation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale of the four Lockheed Martin Corporation littoral combat ships (LCS) on 19 October, after which the legislature has 30 days to approve or deny the deal.