Afghanistan requests US weapons
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale (FMS) for individual and crew served weapons, equipment, training, and support to Afghanistan at a cost of $60 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 18 August.
Afghanistan has requested 4,891 M16A4 5.56mm rifles; 485 M240B 7.62mm machine guns; and 800 M2 .50 calibre machine guns. The request also includes M3 tripod machine gun mounts; MK-93 40mm machine gun mounts; MK-19 40mm grenade launchers; M110 7.62mm sniper rifles; and M249 light automatic machine guns.
Spares, training and support equipment and services are also included in the request.
The Afghanistan National Army (ANA) will use the equipment and weapons in ongoing offensive and defensive counter-insurgency operations.
Is the sale goes ahead FN America will be the principal contractor for the M240B machine guns. The principal contractors for M2, M16A4 and other weapons will be determined in open competitions.
While equipment for the ANA is typically purchased with Title 10 Afghanistan Security Forces Fund appropriations and implemented by DSCA through pseudo-FMS cases, Afghanistan will use US government grants to fund and support this proposed purchase.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts]()
Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts
Several US Army vehicle programmes were axed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to transform the US Army, as outlined in the Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative document. However, the new generation Abrams M1E3 main battle tank (MBT) was singled out for survival. But what will it look like?
-
![Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars]()
Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars
The order is in addition to two systems ordered in 2023. It forms part of a family of systems which is becoming widely used and part of a growing demand for the capability, both in deliveries and requirements.
-
![British Army considers purchasing the NEMO 120mm mortar turret for the Patria 6×6]()
British Army considers purchasing the NEMO 120mm mortar turret for the Patria 6×6
Babcock is offering the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) 6×6 for one of the elements of the UK Land Mobility Programme (LMP). It would be a replacement for some of the UK’s existing armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) fleets including the FV432 which is now some 70 years old.
-
![Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy]()
Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy
Some of the missiles ordered can be used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and the F35-A Lightning.
-
![Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline]()
Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline
Combat losses of support and logistics vehicles in recent conflicts have highlighted the need for greater protection and even self-defence capabilities. What options are available to turn a basic truck into a survivor on the battlefield?
