US approves $250 million naval training deal for Saudi Arabia

Middle East, News, US May 6, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. State Department has authorized a $250 million training package for Saudi Arabia’s Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF). The package is aimed at bolstering the Kingdom’s defense readiness to support the U.S. Navy’s Freedom of Navigation operations.

Approval for the defense training package comes at a time of increased tensions in the region, influenced by ongoing conflicts and geopolitical rivalries that are shaping dynamics throughout the Middle East.

The deal includes training for precision targeting, collateral damage reduction, core technical and professional development training, ship repair facility maintenance, language proficiency courses, and professional military education administered by the U.S. Navy.

This is not the first time that the U.S. has agreed to provide naval training to Saudi Arabia. The agreement follows a similar $37 million contract between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. for training of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF).

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement that “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region.”

Bilateral ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia go back almost 80 years and have improved since the beginning of the Biden administration. The State Department says both countries have a common interest in preserving the Gulf region’s stability, security, and prosperity and “consult closely on a wide range of regional and global issues.

U.S. and Saudi exercise — ^{The Royal Saudi Naval Force corvette HMS Badr (612) conducting a joint naval exercise with the U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyer and patrol coastal ships in the Arabian Gulf on December 17, 2020. (Image Credit: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command)}

Historically, Saudi Arabia’s defense spending has been maintained through substantial fiscal reserves, bolstered by revenues from oil exports. This has enabled the country to amass significant emergency fiscal reserves and sustain substantial defense expenditures.

According to the “Saudi Arabia Defense Market 2023-2028” report by GlobalData, the nation’s future defense spending would be influenced by several factors such as national security priorities, regional power dynamics, military modernization efforts, defense alliances, protection of energy infrastructure, and instability in the Middle East.

Exercise Native Fury 24

Separately on May 5, 2024, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the start of the annual exercise Native Fury 24. In its 8th iteration, the trilateral exercise between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates would showcase the forces engaging in on-load and off-load operations using commercial maritime shipping, long-distance convoys, urban combat training, and various dynamic training events in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A CENTCOM statement said that More than 600 U.S. Marines, sailors, soldiers, and airmen from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, 378th and 380th AEW, and partner nations will participate in the exercise.

Ships from Saudi Arabia, the U.K, and U.S. sail in formation — ^{Ships from Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the U.S. sail in formation during a mine countermeasures interoperability exercise in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dawson Roth)}

Exercise Native Fury 24 occurs simultaneously with multiple other CENTCOM-sponsored exercises across the region, such as Exercise Eager Lion, Exercise Indigo Defender, and Exercise Iron Union.