The Pentagon announced that the U.S. State Department has approved three potential military deals for Gulf states, including the sale of F-16 fighter jets and advanced training equipment to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
According to an official statement reported by Reuters, Bahrain’s deal for F-16 aircraft and associated equipment is valued at $455 million, with General Electric Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics identified as the primary contractors.
In a related development, the State Department also cleared a first Saudi deal involving the supply of training equipment and related materials, with an estimated value of $500 million, aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s military training capabilities.
The department further approved a second potential deal for Saudi Arabia, estimated at $1 billion, to provide specialized support equipment and advanced training for military helicopters and related systems.
The Pentagon noted in two separate statements that the Saudi deals include orders for essential spare parts, as well as the provision of aerial training services to enhance the readiness of the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command’s helicopter fleet.
