United States Department of Defense News Release On the web: Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131 Public contact: http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.html or +1 (703) 428-0711

The government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale for the continuation of U.S. Air Force and contractor technical services (CTS), spare and repair parts, support equipment, and simulators in support of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) F-15 aircraft. The estimated cost is $1.6 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The USAF and contractor technical support and services will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The RSAF will use these support services for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of all their F-15 aircraft. The contractor services and logistics support will provide for a continuation of the required logistics support through 2003.

The prime contractor will be determined in joint negotiations as the program proceeds. There are no offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 10 U.S. government and 1,000 contractor representatives to Saudi over the life of the three year program for technical assistance services and support. This is a reduction of approximately 275 representatives from the current CTS program.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

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