Oman Requests F-16 A/C Weapon Systems

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress December 11 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Oman for a number of F-16 A/C weapon systems, as well as associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $117 million.

The Sultanate of Oman has requested a possible sale of 27 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 162 GBU-12 PAVEWAY II 500-lb Laser Guided Bombs, 162 FMU-152 bomb fuzes, 150 BLU-111B/B 500-lb Conical Fin General Purpose Bombs (Freefall Tail), 60 BLU-111B/B 500-lb Retarded Fin General Purpose Bombs (Ballute Tail), and 32 CBU-105 Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers (WCMD). 

Also included are 20mm projectiles, Aerial Gunnery Target System (AGTS-36), training munitions, flares, chaff, containers, impulse cartridges, weapon support equipment and components, repair and return, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representative logistics and technical support services, site survey, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $117 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security 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.

The proposed purchase of munitions will improve Oman’s capability to meet current and future regional threats and will provide a significant increase in the Royal Air Force of Oman’s (RAFO) capability to support both its own air defense needs as well as those of coalition operations. This potential sale is in support of RAFO’s current 12 F-16s as well as its ongoing acquisition of 12 additional F-16s. Oman should have no difficulty absorbing this additional capability into its Armed Forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region, according to DSCA.

The principal contractors will be Raytheon Company in Waltham, Massachusetts; Textron Defense Systems in Wilmington, Massachusetts; General Dynamics in Falls Church, Virginia; and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Oman involving many U.S. Government or contractor representatives over a period of up to or over 15 years for program and technical support and training. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency - DSCA