THE US government has given the green light for a proposed sale of 24 refurbished Bell AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters to Bahrain.
This was announced by the US Defence Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) while revealing details of the foreign military sales (FMS) worth an estimated $350 million.
It added that the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible FMS to the Bahrain government.
The DSCA has notified the above details of the possible sale to Congress.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US 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,” said the DSCA.
“The proposed sale will improve Bahrain’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to fulfil maritime patrol, close air support, and search and rescue missions.”
Overall, the package to buy equipment and services by Bahrain includes a refurbishment of a full-motion Aircraft Procedures Trainer (APT), M272A1 missile launchers and spare T-700-GE-401 aircraft engines, spare parts, support, training, publications, and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The principal contractor will be Bell Corporation.
“Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing these defence articles and services into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of these services and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
The DSCA added that there will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
The Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) has undertaken a series of measures to upgrade its fleet of F16s and attack helicopters.
The GDN reported earlier this month that the world’s first single-engine helicopter to fly on completely sustainable aviation fuel became part of the RBAF.
The kingdom recently received its first three Bell 505 helicopters from US-based aerospace manufacturer Bell Textron.
The three Bell 505 helicopters come with a package that includes training, tooling and spare parts.
They will join the Bell 212 and multiple generations of AH-1 attack helicopters that have previously been flown by the RBAF.
In addition, six new twin-engine attack helicopters from the company will be joining the RBAF fleet this year.
The AH-1Z Vipers are being prepared for shipment, after making their debut outside the US at last year’s Bahrain International Air Show.
The six AH-1Z Vipers are part of a $912m (BD343.8m) deal for 12 units announced in 2018.
Another major boost to RBAF’s air power was becoming, earlier this month, the first country in the world to ceremoniously receive the F16 Block 70 advanced combat jet.
The two-seater aircraft is being supplied by Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corporation.
It is part of a larger $1.12 billion deal signed in 2018, under which the security and aerospace company was contracted by the US government to manufacture 16 F-16 fighter jets for Bahrain.
Bahrain will receive three F-16 Block 70 jets following a series of flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base before finally being flown by US pilots to the kingdom next year.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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