I tell you, every time I hear about this contract, I am just blown away by it’s enormity–yet it gets absolutely zero coverage. The Saudis have some serious money, and they have been purchasing some very high quality equipment and training over the years. Although it takes competent soldiers, along with competent leaders to actually command these armies, and that is something Vinnell cannot provide.
We will see how well they do in future conflict, and especially along the borders with Yemen. I would love to see them decimate some of that Al Qaeda scum in those regions Insha’Allah.
Also, check out this article a friend sent me that came from Strategy Page. It sounds like the Saudis have had some issues with fighting the Houthis. (120 dead soldiers in 3 months) They are also doing the typical rich arab thing, and hiring Yemeni tribes to fight for them to help out. That isn’t really working out either. Could the Saudis one day hire a competent PMC to do their fighting for them? Who knows, but I am sure it has crossed their minds. –Matt
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Northrop Grumman Wins Saudi Arabian National Guard Contract With a Potential Value of $550 Million
Jan. 20, 2010
HERNDON, Va., (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a contract to continue the modernization and training of the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG). The contract has a potential value of $550 million.
The five-year, cost-plus-award-fee hybrid contract also contains fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price elements.
Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman Technical Services subsidiary Vinnell Arabia LLC will provide U.S. Army-based doctrine and military training as well as logistics and support services that will further contribute to SANG fulfilling its national defense mission with self-sustained command, control and operational capabilities. Work will be performed throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Our U.S. Army customer not only has selected a trusted partner who will continue to provide them with seamless continuity for the SANG program, but also a partner who values a culture of performance,” said Robert S. Coffey, program general manager for Vinnell Arabia LLC. “We look forward to continuing to raise our collective bar of excellence with the SANG program, which is an essential force in the long-term defense of the Kingdom.”