The government of the United States has authorized the sale of a logistics support package for the fleet of F-16 fighter jets of the United Arab Emirates Air Force. The news, released on May 12, stems from one of the most recent notifications submitted by the Department of State to the U.S. Congress, in order to approve the operation through the FMS Program.
In the mid-1990s, the United Arab Emirates was evaluating various candidates to renew its combat fleet. Among the final candidates were the F-16 from Lockheed Martin and the Rafale from Dassault. By 1998, the emirate’s government officially announced that the U.S. proposal had been selected.
Subsequently, the United Arab Emirates Air Force would receive a total of 80 F-16E/F Block 60 fighter jets, which were equipped with a wide range of armament composed of new AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, HARM anti-radiation missiles, and laser-guided bombs.
With this background, and seeking to ensure the operability of one of the main platforms in service with the emirate’s air force, the UAE government requested from the United States the acquisition of a logistics package valued at US$130 million, which adds to a previous authorization originally valued at US$40 million.
According to what was published by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), this support and logistics package consists of “… built-in reprogramming equipment for Common Munitions Bit/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); munitions support equipment; spare and support equipment for night vision devices (NVD); spare parts, consumables, and accessories; repair and return support; delivery and support for classified and unclassified software; technical publications and documentation, both classified and unclassified; on-site inspections; studies and surveys; transportation logistics support; and technical, engineering, and logistics support services from the U.S. Government and contractors.”
In turn, the Department of State has indicated that: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a key defense partner. The United Arab Emirates is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.”
Adding: “The proposed sale will enhance the United Arab Emirates’ ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, in order to meet its national defense needs. The United Arab Emirates will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.”
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