U.S. approves military sale to Saudi Arabia of AGT-1500 engines

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $750 million Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia for 60 AGT-1500 tank engines and associated support, a package aimed at sustaining the kingdom’s armored forces.

The proposed deal includes engine containers; spare parts, consumables and accessories; contractor logistics support; and U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics services, along with other related program support, the department said.

U.S. officials said the sale would advance American foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening a key partner’s readiness and ability to meet current and future threats. The package is intended to bolster interoperability and execution of bilateral contingency plans and is not expected to alter the region’s basic military balance, according to the announcement.

Honeywell will be the principal contractor, operating at Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. No offset agreements are known at this time; any such arrangements would be negotiated between the purchaser and the contractor. The deal would not require assigning additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to Saudi Arabia.

The AGT-1500 is the gas turbine engine that powers the U.S.-made M1 Abrams main battle tank. Saudi Arabia fields Abrams tanks, and the engines are expected to support sustainment and readiness of its existing fleet.

As with all Foreign Military Sales, the notice triggers a congressional review period. Lawmakers typically have 30 days to weigh in and can introduce a joint resolution of disapproval, though most proposed sales proceed after the review. Arms sales to Saudi Arabia have drawn scrutiny in Congress in recent years, but the State Department said Riyadh would have no difficulty absorbing the equipment and services into its armed forces.