Bahrain to buy 50 Abrams main battle tanks from US for $2.2 billion

Middle East, News, US March 25, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. State Department announced that it has approved a Foreign Military Sale of 50 M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks to Bahrain, with an estimated value of $2.2 billion. Bahrain, the U.S.’s closest ally in the Gulf region, was once under an arms embargo due to its crackdown on the Shiite-led political movement.

The State Department said it had notified Congress about the approval of the sale. A statement released by the U.S. State Department said that the $2.2 billion contract will cover 50 System Enhancement Package 3 (SEP v3) variants of M1A2 Abrams tanks equipped with M240 Coaxial 7.62mm machine guns.

According to the statement, M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles and M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles are included as supporting capabilities in the order. Maintenance, training, and other logistics services will also be provided by the U.S.

The M1A2 Abrams is equipped with composite armor to ensure optimal defensive capabilities. Its SEP v3 variant, weighing up to 62,595 kilograms, ranks among the heaviest tanks currently in operational service. Despite its substantial size, it boasts impressive mobility, achieving a top speed of 67 kilometers per hour. It is powered by a 1,500-horsepower multi-fuel turbine engine.

The tanks are being used in Poland, Taiwan, and Ukraine, where it has been deployed as part of the U.S. military assistance efforts for Kyiv.

*^{U.S. Army Abrams main battle tanks. (Image Credit: Mindaugas Kulbis/AP)}*

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) characterized the proposed sale to Bahrain as a demonstration of backing for U.S. foreign policy and national security goals, aiming to enhance the security of a non-NATO ally committed to fostering stability in the Middle East.

“The proposed sale will improve Bahrain’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that can deter adversaries and provide the capability to participate in regional operations with the United States and other U.S. partner nations. Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces,” a DSCA statement said.

The statement also added that General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems, Honeywell Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, and RTX (formerly known as Raytheon Technologies) would act as the principal contractors while several other U.S.-based defense manufacturing firms would be involved in the contract.

Strongest ally in the Middle East

Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and holds the designation of being a major non-NATO ally, affording it privileged defense cooperation with the United States.

US and Bahrain joint exercise — ^{Bahrain Defense Force and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command personnel simulate clearing a building during a joint anti-terrorism exercise in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations on January 13, 2021. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Riggs)}

Bahrain is the only Arab nation to join the coalition led by the United States and Britain, which has conducted strikes against Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthi rebels. These actions were taken in solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Despite being one of the closest allies to the U.S. in the Middle East, Bahrain faced strong condemnation by the U.S. in 2011 for conducting a strong crackdown against an uprising led by the Shiite community, which called for a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister.

During the Obama administration, an arms embargo was imposed on Bahrain for a period of four years in response to its handling of the Shiite-led uprising. However, Bahrain experienced a shift in its relationship with the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump. The arms embargo was lifted after Bahrain recognized Israel in 2020.