U.S. approves $150 million deal for Bahrain F-16 support

Washington

The U.S. government late on Friday said it approved a possible sale of $150 million worth of equipment to Bahrain to maintain its fleet of Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter jets.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees foreign arms sales, told lawmakers the Bahraini government had requested equipment for support and communications, ammunition and spare parts valued at $150 million.

The DSCA said the deal was needed to maintain the operational readiness of the aging F-16 fleet of the Royal Bahrain Air Force, which has been used in recent strikes against Islamic State. U.S. government officials stressed the importance of resuming security assistance to Bahrain, citing their participation in coalition strikes against the hardline militant group Islamic State.

The Obama administration had earlier in June lifted its ban on security assistance to Bahrain that was imposed in 2011, which allowed it to provide antitank missiles, Humvees, ammunition and small arms to Bahrain’s military and national guard.

“Bahrain is an important and long-standing ally on regional security issues, working closely with us on the counter-ISIS campaign and providing logistical and operational support for countering terrorism and maintaining freedom of navigation,” State Department spokesman John Kirby was quoted telling media soon after the lifting of the ban.

Many American officials had also expressed satisfaction over the progress of human rights reforms made by Bahrain. It may be noted, Bahrain, which is a key ally in the U.S.-led coalition against IS, is also Home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

In May 2012, the U.S. lifted the hold on sales of some items, including those required to protect U.S. facilities, allowing Bahrain’s defense force, coast Guard and national guard to receive them.