United States Department of Defense Memorandum for Correspondents On the web:
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No. 018-M
MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS
March 15, 1999
The Department of Defense announced today the possible sale to the Government Bahrain of 26 AIM-120B Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 50 launcher rails, Interrogator Friend or Foe, missile containers, integration of software, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, maintenance and pilot training, software support, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $110 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
Bahrain will use these missiles to enhance the air-to-air self-defense capability of its F-16 aircraft and to increase interoperability with U.S. forces. Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be Raytheon Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz. There are no offset agreements proposed to be entered into in connection with this potential sale.
It is estimated that during implementation of this proposed sale a number of U.S. Government personnel and contractor representatives will be assigned to Bahrain or travel there intermittently.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
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