US approves Patriot, F-16 weapons, sale to Bahrain

Middle East, News, US May 6, 2019 , by IRIA No Comments

United States Department of State approved the $2.4 billion sale of the Patriot missile defense system to Bahrain.

The US State Department has approved $2.4 billion worth of weapons sales to Bahrain for its F-16V aircraft fleet and Patriot missile systems.

The sales will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States “by improving the security of a Major Non-NATO ally which is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” according to the agency.

The US considers Bahrain a security partner in the region as it depends on allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia, to counter Iranian influence. In April, the US okayed part of a THAAD missile defense system sale to the kingdom.

With this deal, Bahrain would be joining the ranks of 16 countries, including the United States, that use the system. Other countries in the region using the system include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Bahrain has requested 60 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles, 36 Patriot MIM-104E guidance enhanced missiles (GEM-T) with canisters, nine M903 launching stations, five antenna mast groups, three electrical power plants III, two AN/MPQ-65 radar sets, and two AN/MSQ-132 engagement control stations. Also included are communications equipment, systems integration and checkout, and other related logistics and program support elements.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the PAC-3 missile and Raytheon is the prime contractor for the GEM-T missile.

Bahrain will use Patriot to improve its missile defense capability, defend its territorial integrity and deter regional threats.