Lockheed proposes $5bn Aegis ships sale to Saudi Arabia

Thursday, 26 May 2011 1:08 PM

Lockheed Martin Corp has proposed selling to Saudi Arabia eight Littoral Combat Ship hulls outfitted with its Aegis radar (Bloomberg Images - for illustrative purposes only)

Lockheed Martin Corp has proposed selling to Saudi Arabia eight Littoral Combat Ship hulls outfitted with its Aegis radar in a package that may be valued at $5bn, a company executive said.

“What we are offering is the Aegis SPY 1F system on the Littoral Combat Ship,” Paul Lemmo, vice president of business development at Lockheed’s Mission Systems and Sensors unit, said in an interview today in Arlington, Virginia.

The Aegis SPY-1F is a smaller, lighter version of the air and missile defense radar deployed on US Navy ships.

Saudi Arabia is seeking eight surface combatant ships, such as the Littoral Combat Ship, as the “centerpiece of its plan to recapitalise its eastern fleet” that may also include fast- patrol boats, helicopters and drones, he said.

Lockheed’s proposal was made to Saudi Arabia through the US Navy, which is offering both the Littoral Combat Ship models to Saudi Arabia, Lemmo said.

Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed is the prime contractor for one of the two Littoral Combat Ship models being bought by the US Navy. A team led by Austal Ltd, and including General Dynamics Corp. is building the other model.

Join the Discussion

Disclaimer:The view expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by Arabian Business, its employees, sponsors or its advertisers.

Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

Posted by: Omar A. AlSadoon Thursday, 26 May 2011 10:47 PM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

I think Obama is too busy with more important issues than woman driving. don't you think Tony?

How about we focus on peace & war in ME rather than who sits behind the vehicle's driving wheel?
How about America's economy, health care plans and taxes?

Maybe Obama should address prostitution in Africa and Child trafficking, or is it less important matters since its only Africa?
You know, using women's semi-naked bodies or just beautiful women in general for ads and for commercial promotions is also abusing them and the society. but who's talking about that? or is that personal freedom?

Sorry, I deviated from the main subject. Did it occur to you that the "majority" do not want women to drive? you are a pro-democracy, this should suffice for not allowing them to drive in SA. Do you think the Saudi government really cares if women do drive or not? if the people are ready and accepting it, so shall it be.

Women aren't deprived from going out. they are just driven rather than driving.

Posted by: Ahmed Saturday, 28 May 2011 11:08 AM[UAE] - Turkey

democracy never meant that a majority can impose its rules to a minority.
An elected government in a democratic country with a constitution will never be able do that just because it has to respect the constitution, which usually protect human rights.... these imply that all humans have rights such a freedom of speech and freedom of movment, equality btw mens and womens (such as the right of driving)..
but saudi arabia has no constitution and it is a kingdom, so talking about democracy has you do, does not make sense.

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: tony Thursday, 26 May 2011 7:13 PM[UAE] - germany

This is why Obama will never say anything when the Saudis dont allow women to drive.

Obama can only pressure the countries that arent bending over for the US

Reply to this comment.

Log in Not registered? Register now!

Retrieve password form

Services:

Related:

Stories

Also in Transport

Also in Saudi Arabia

Join the Discussion

Further reading

Features & Analysis

Most Popular

Most Discussed