The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Bahrain for F-16V fighter jets with support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 8 September.

The estimated cost for the two sales is $3.8bn, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on its website.

The Government of Bahrain has requested a possible sale of 19 F-16V Aircraft; 19 M61 Vulcan 20mm Gun Systems; 22 F-16V F-110-GE-129 Engines (includes 3 spares); 22 APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array Radars (includes 3 spares); 22 Modular Mission Computers (includes 3 spares); 22 Embedded Global Navigation Systems/LN260 EGI (includes 3 spares); 22 Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG) (includes 3 spares); and thirty-eight (38) LAU-129 Launchers.

This sale also includes 19 AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS Systems, 38 LAU-118A Launchers, 42 AN/ARC-238 SINCGARS Radio or equivalent, 22 AN/APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) system or equivalent, 22 cryptographic appliques, secure communication equipment, spares and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, simulators, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor technical support services, containers, missile support and test equipment, original equipment manufacturer integration and test, U.S. Government and contractor technical support and training services, site survey, design, construction studies/analysis/services, associated operations/maintenance/ training/support facilities, cybersecurity, critical computer resources support, force protection and other related elements of logistics and program support.  The total estimated program cost is $2.785 billion.

The Lockheed Martin F-16V configuration provides relevant combat capabilities in a scalable and affordable package. The core of the F-16V configuration is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a modern commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based avionics subsystem, a large-format, high-resolution display; and a high-volume, high-speed data bus.