The State Department approved a possible $785 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for various munitions, sustainment, and support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on July 15.
UAE wants approval to procure 7,700 GBU-10 guidance kits with 7,700 Mk-84/BLU-117 bombs, 5,940 GBU-12 guidance kits with 5,940 Mk-82/BLU-111 bombs, 500 GBU-31V1 guidance kits with 500 Mk-84/BLU- 117 bombs, 500 GBU-31V3 guidance kits with 500 BLU-109 bombs, 14,640 FMU-152 fuzes, and non-major defense equipment (MDE) munitions items. The MDE portion of the FMS is valued at $740 million.
The munitions are set to be sourced through procurement and the contractor will be determined during contract negotiations.
The UAE would use the additional precision-guided munitions to meet current and future threats, including participating in the Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) coalition against ISIS/ISIL. “These munitions will sustain the UAE’s efforts and support a key partner that remains an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” DSCA said in a statement.
The agency also said the UAE hosts U.S. forces at the Al Dhafra Air Base.
Implementation of the sale would not require the assignment of additional U.S. government and/or contractor representatives to the UAE.