The US State Department has approved the possible sale of weapons and equipment to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia for $5 billion.
The government of Jordan has requested 12 F-16 C Block 70 aircraft, four F-16 D Block 70 aircraft, and 21 F100-GE-129D or F100-PW229EEP engines. It also seeks to procure display generators, beam radars, and embedded GPS navigation systems.
The total cost of future military sales requested by Jordan is estimated at $4.21 billion.
In a press release, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) explained that the proposed sale would help improve Jordan’s capability to address current and future security threats. The F-16s would modernize the Jordanian fighter aircraft fleet, fulfilling its upgraded operational requirements.
For the US, the potential sale follows its foreign policy and national security objectives, helping non-NATO allies improve their air defense capabilities.
The F-16s would allow Jordan to counter violent extremist organizations and malign state and non-state actors while bolstering its border defense.
“Jordan will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces,” the DSCA said. “There will be no adverse impact on defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
Military Sales to Saudi, UAE
Last week, the DSCA announced that the US has also approved the potential sale of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System – Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT), and other related military equipment to Saudi Arabia.
With an estimated value of $23.7 million, the proposed sale would provide the country’s armed forces with high-powered equipment, training, and follow-on support to protect Saudi Arabia and the region from the “destabilizing effects” of terrorism.
The kingdom plans to install the MIDS-LVT on its Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) platforms used to shoot down short and medium-range ballistic missiles with “hit-to-kill” technology.
The UAE has also received the green light for its $65 million request to purchase spares/repair parts for its Homing All the Way Killer (HAWK), Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT), and THAAD defense systems.
The proposed sale would improve the UAE’s ability to deter and defend against hostile threats by maintaining the “operational readiness” of critical air defense systems.
