US considers Phalanx upgrade for Saudi

The US State Department has approved the possible sale of MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B Baseline 2 Kits, equipment, training, and logistics support to Saudi Arabia, it was announced on 11 February.

Under the estimated $154.9 million sale, Saudi Arabia has requested the upgrade and conversion of five MK 15 Phalanx CIWS Block 0 systems to the Block 1B Baseline 2 configuration. The Block 0 systems are installed on four Royal Saudi Naval Forces Patrol Chaser Missile ships and its naval forces school. Five local control stations, US government and contractor engineering, and support and test equipment are also included in the request.

Saudi Arabia has also requested spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications, software, and technical documentation, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of programme and logistics support.

The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s self defence capabilities for surface combatants supporting national and multi-national naval operations. It will also extend the life of the country’s PCG Class ships.