FR 2021-00625

The Federal Register recently published a notice regarding an arms sales transaction between the United States and Saudi Arabia. This document, released by the Department of Defense, announces the proposed sale of 3,000 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I munitions to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by additional related support services and equipment. The estimated total cost for this program is $290 million. The government asserts that this sale will enhance Saudi Arabia's defense capabilities and contribute to the stability of the Middle East region.

General Summary

This notification provides a formal announcement about a planned arms sale. It includes details about the purchasing nation, Saudi Arabia, and the specific military equipment involved, notably the Small Diameter Bomb I. The publication also outlines the expected benefits of this sale, emphasizing political stability and economic growth in the region. The primary contractor handling the deal will be Boeing, a well-known American aerospace company.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues in the document merit attention:

• Unspecified Total Estimated Value: The document lists the financial estimate of the transaction but omits a monetary figure in section (ii), which could lead to some confusion or perceived lack of transparency.

• Vague Justification for Sale: The policy justification leans heavily on broad claims of promoting political stability and economic growth without providing substantial evidence or details. This ambiguity might raise questions about the specific impacts or benefits.

• Transparency in Financial Handling: The document indicates that no sales commission, fees, or related payments are involved. While potentially reassuring, this could also prompt further scrutiny regarding the financial procedures and transparency involved.

• Sensitivity of Technology: Mention of the technology's classification as "SECRET" might seem vague to a general audience. A more detailed explanation of how this affects the sale or what measures ensure the technology's secure handling could improve understanding.

• Complex Technical Descriptions: The engineering details of the weapon system described can be challenging to comprehend for individuals without specialized knowledge, thereby limiting transparency and broad public understanding.

Public and Stakeholder Impact

Broad Public Impact:

For the general public, this document underscores the ongoing defense relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia. It highlights aspects of U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities, including maintaining regional stability. The high financial value of the deal and its implications for U.S. defense readiness are likely of public interest.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders:

• For the U.S. Government and Military: This sale may reinforce U.S. diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and could be viewed as supporting geopolitical strategies in the Middle East.

• For Boeing: As the primary contractor, Boeing stands to benefit significantly through this multi-million-dollar contract, enhancing its role within the defense sector.

• For Human Rights Organizations: The sale might draw criticism from advocacy groups concerned about arms being used in contentious regional conflicts.

Ultimately, this notification highlights an intriguing intersection of defense commerce, international relations, and national security policy. While the document provides an official account of the transaction, some areas might benefit from greater clarity and transparency to enhance public understanding and trust.

The document under review is an arms sales notification from the Department of Defense, detailing a proposed sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Within the text, there is a specific reference to the financial aspect of this proposed transaction: "The total estimated program cost will be $290 million." This mention provides an indication of the significant financial scope of this defense agreement.

In this arms sales notification, the transaction involves the sale of three thousand GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, along with associated equipment and support services. Although the document provides a specific figure regarding the program cost, it notably does not offer a total estimated value in monetary terms in the designated section (ii). This absence might potentially raise questions about clarity and completeness. Readers could be left wondering about the expected financial impact and the overall magnitude of the transaction, as it is customary to present a total value to encompass all cost aspects comprehensively.

Moreover, the justification for this financial commitment is linked to broader foreign policy and national security objectives. The document argues that this sale will contribute to political stability and economic growth in the Middle East. However, without detailed evidence or explanation on how exactly these financial allocations support such objectives, the rationale might appear insufficiently substantiated to some readers.

In addition, the document mentions that no sales commissions, fees, or similar payments have been made or agreed upon. This could lead to questions about financial transparency, particularly regarding how such a substantial financial transaction is managed and what financial safeguards are in place to ensure accountability.

Overall, while the document provides a critical figure regarding the total program cost, it lacks clarity on some financial details—potentially leaving room for further inquiry on the transparency and justification of the financial aspects linked to this arms sale.