State Dept. greenlights $270 million Sidewinder sale to UAE
NewsMarch 14, 2018
WASHINGTON. The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- worth a potential $270.4 million -- of Raytheon-built AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II missiles, related components, and services from the U.S. government.
The proposed FMS transaction includes 300 Sidewinder Block II missiles, 40 Sidewinder captive air training missiles, 15 CATM guidance units, and 30 Block II tactical guidance units, spares, support equipment and containers. The UAE also asked the State Dept. for technical assistance, missile support, and logistics services that call for the deployment of government and contracting personnel to UAE.
Documents from the Defense Department's U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency say that the proposed sale will "support the foreign policy and national security objectives 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."
