The US State Department’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) division has awarded a contract, worth up to $450.7m, to design, build and maintain four combat ships for Saudi Arabia, to a consortium that comprises of Maryland-based Lockheed Martin and Wisconsin-based Fincantieri Marinette Marine.

Expected to be completed by October 2025, the four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant ships is understood to feature the “freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship mono hull,” which enables an increased range of 5,000 nautical miles and speeds in excess of 30 knots.

This feature enables the ships to perform littoral and open ocean operation, a FMS statement said.

The deal is a classified undefinitised contract action (UCA) modification to a previously awarded contract.

“Foreign military sales funding for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the amount of $225.37m will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year,” the statement added.

The FMS specified DC-based Naval Sea Systems Command as the contracting activity.