FLIR, Laser Devices linked to $330M Saudi deal

13 May 2011

Saudi Arabia requests to purchase a range of night vision equipment, with the prime contractors set to be FLIR and Laser Devices.

The Saudi Arabian government is seeking to purchase $330 million worth of photonics equipment and associated logistical support for its military forces.

Notice of the deal was posted on the web site of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on May 12. Although the proposed sale does not require any particular intervention by the US government, notice of the request is required by law.

According to the DSCA, the new equipment will be used by the Royal Saudi Land Forces, as part of its border control efforts. The country has land borders with Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and the proposed sale will be part of an effort to deter insurgent activity along the southern Saudi border with Yemen.

Saudi Arabia has requested 200 high-performance thermal weapon sights for use by snipers, 200 lightweight, long-range infrared binoculars, 7000 dual-beam aiming lasers and 6000 low-profile night vision goggles – with prime contractors FLIR and California-based Laser Devices, Inc. lined up for the deal.

“The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” read the DSCA’s statement on the proposed sale.