US missiles for Bahrain

The US on Tuesday announced that it had officially proposed to Bahrain the sale of some 26 advanced Amraam air-to air missiles and other related equipment in a deal estimated at US $110 million.

During his regional tour last week, US Defense Secretary William Cohen proposed the deal to Bahrain. Cohen also proposed for Saudi Arabia Amraam missiles and also discussed a deal to sell several missiles of Amraam type and F-16 jet fighters to the United Arab Emirates. But no mention was made on why such an arms deal was not announced during Cohen's visit to the Gulf.

The US deal to Bahrain will also cover 50 systems for launching missiles for F-16 fighters available in Bahrain, missiles containers, computer programs, maintenance equipment and training of pilots.

Later in the day, the US State Department informed the congress officially about the proposed sale of some 26 Amraam missiles to Bahrain at a cost of US $110 million.

AFP said that in a statement the US Defense Department said that Bahrain can use these missiles to develop the performance of F-16 planes it already owns. The statement added that the US congress still has 30 days to oppose or approve the sale of these medium-range missiles, which had been until recently dedicated only to the NATO member states.

US Defense Secretary William Cohen had approved the sale on March 6 during his visit to Bahrain.