UAE seeks $4 billion munitions for F-16 fleet
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested munitions and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support from the US government under a possible foreign military sale (FMS) worth a total of $4 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified US congress on 11 October of the request, which seeks the necessary munitions to support the UAE’s fleet of F-16 aircraft.
Specifically the UAE is seeking 5000 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) with BRU-61 carriage systems; 8 SDB Guided Test Vehicles for aircraft integration; 16 SDB Captive Flight and Load Build trainers; 1200 AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapon (JSOW); 10 JSOW CATMs; 300 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missiles-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER); 40 CATM-84H Captive Air Training Missiles; 20 ATM-84H SLAM-ER Telemetry Missiles; 4 Dummy Air Training Missiles; and 30 AWW-13 Data Link pods.
Additional storage, training, mission planning, transportation, tools and test equipment has also been requested.
If the FMS goes ahead Boeing and Raytheon will be the principal contractors.
More from Defence Notes
-
![US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness]()
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
![Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?]()
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
![US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap]()
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
![NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls]()
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
![US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025]()
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
![Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention]()
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.
