ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates have requested a foreign military sale for guided munitions worth $130 million, the US Defense and Security Cooperation Agency said.
The Pentagon says said the May 29 request for US congressional approval pertains to the gulf countries' fight against the Islamic State group (ISIL) and the Houthi movement in Yemen.
The UAE is part of an American-led coalition against ISIL and a Saudi-led Arab coalition engaged in Yemen since March.
According to the DSCA, the request was for 500 GBU-31B/B(V)1 (MK-84/BLU-117) bombs, 500 GBU-31B/B(V)3 (BLU-109) bombs and 600 GBU-12 (MK-82/BLU-111) bombs, containers, fuzes, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, US government and contractor logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
"The proposed sale will provide the UAE with additional precision guided munitions capability to meet the current threat represented by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, and Houthi aggression in Yemen. The UAE continues to provide host-nation support of vital U.S. forces stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base and plays a vital role in supporting U.S. regional interests. The UAE has proven to be a valued partner and an active participant in coalition operations. The UAE will have no difficulty absorbing these additional munitions into its armed forces," the Pentagon said in a statement.
The principal contractors will be The Boeing Company in Chicago, Illinois; and Raytheon Missile Systemsin Tucson, Arizona, it states.
The sale comes as the second deal publicized after President Barack Obama met Arabian Gulf leaders at Camp David, Maryland, in May.
On May 20, Saudi Arabia requested the sale of 10 Sea Hawk helicopters as part of its naval expansion program.
"The UAE request for additional 1600 GBUs is likely to replace PGMs that have been used in air operations in both Operation Inherent Storm and perhaps in Operation Decisive Force," said Dr Theodore Karasik, a Dubai-based geopolitical analyst.
"That the order is coming now is likely timed to make sure that American made weaponry is delivered in a timely manner for future operations in the [Middle East and North Africa] MENA theater. The Emiratis are well aware of the time it takes for Washington to make the authorization on the actual weapon transfer, so now is the time to act given the regional threat trajectory," he added.
Email: amustafa@defensenews.com
Awad Mustafa was a Middle East and Africa correspondent for Defense News.
