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The government of Bahrain has requested more than 50 M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks and other vehicles in a US$2.2 billion foreign military sale.
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The US Congress was notified of the possible sale by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 19 March.
The possible sale includes 50 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks, four M88A2 Hercules combat recovery vehicles, eight M1110 Joint Assault Bridges, eight M1150 assault breacher vehicles, eight Heavy Assault Scissor Bridge, 100 M240 Coaxial 7.62mm machine guns, three AGT1500 Gas Turbine engines, 6,000 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer projectiles, and 5,760 120mm M1147 High Explosive Multipurpose Tracers.
The government of Bahrain has also requested M2A1 .50 calibre machine guns, common remote operated weapons station low profile, forward repair system, M250 smoke grenade launchers, service and training ammunition, M1300/M1302 enhanced heavy equipment transporter system, M978A4 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck tanker and Load Handling System, M074A1 Palletized Load Systems and trailers and flat racks, support and test equipment, communications equipment, publications and technical manuals, logistics and program support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” according to a statement published by the DSCA.
“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 US partner nations.
“Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
“There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems, Leonardo DRS, Honeywell Aerospace, RTX Corporation, and Lockheed Martin will be the principal contractors.
The proposed sale will require the assignment of one US government and 30 US contractor representatives to travel to Bahrain for a duration of up to five years to support equipment fielding and training.
In March 2023, the US State Department approved a possible foreign military sale to refurbish 24 AH-1W Super Cobra multi-role helicopters for the Bahrain government.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the US Congress of the possible $350 million sale on 29 March 2023. Under the deal, Bahrain would refurbish the helicopters, receive a full-motion Aircraft Procedures Trainer, M272A1 missile launchers, and spare T-700-GE-401 aircraft engines, spare parts, support and training from principal contractor Bell Corporation.
