USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) transits the Arabian Sea on Sept. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo
THE PENTAGON – Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has not extended the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group even in the midst of what the Pentagon described as a buildup of forces in Saudi Arabia to defend U.S. forces and interests against Iranian aggression, a Defense Department spokesman told USNI News. Read More
Oil fields in Eastern Saudi Arabia on Sept. 14, 2019. NASA Photo
Three members of the House Armed Services Committee came down against U.S. armed retaliation against Iran for the attack on Saudi Arabian oil production facilities over the weekend. Read More
The following is the June 18, 2019 Congressional Research Service Insight report, Saudi Arabia. Read More
The following is the May 16, 2019 Congressional Research Service report, U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate. Read More
File photos of USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) (top) and USS McFaul (DDG-74)
Two U.S. guided-missile destroyers entered the Persian Gulf on Thursday without incident as the likelihood of an armed confrontation between Iran and the U.S. appears less likely, two U.S. defense officials confirmed to USNI News on Thursday. Read More
Àlvaro de Bazàn-class frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104) prepares to conduct a replenishment-at-sea with the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on May 8, 2019. US Navy Photo
A Spanish guided-missile frigate is temporarily dropping out to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group over the U.S. shift in operations toward Iran, according to statements from Spanish defense officials. Read More
Iranian leaders are gaining leverage and advantage over Saudi Arabia and its allies as the conflict in Yemen drags on, a leading expert in Middle East security issues said Thursday. Read More
Artist’s concept of a Lockheed Martin Multi-Mission Surface Combatant. US Navy
This post has been updated to include additional information on the contract award.
Lockheed Martin Corp. has received a $450 million award for complex design work and some long-lead materials for the construction of four new frigates for the Royal Saudi Arabian Navy, part of the kingdom’s multi-billion dollar shipbuilding plan. Read More
Artist’s concept of a Lockheed Martin Multi-Mission Surface Combatant. US Navy
This post has been updated with additioonal information on production of the Saudi frigate.
Lockheed Martin has been awarded the first contract for a quartet of frigates the company is building as part of a $20 billion foreign military sales package to Saudi Arabia, USNI News has learned. Read More
The following is the Oct. 11, 2017 Congressional Research Service report Arms Sales in the Middle East Trends and Analytical Perspectives for U.S. Policy. Read More
