The United States has authorized a potential $445 million military sale to provide sustainment services for Bahrain’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
The package—supported by key contractors Lockheed Martin and General Electric—covers spare parts for aircraft components, missile housings, radar receiver elements, guidance and control units, weapons support items, ground support tools, and laboratory and testing equipment. It expands an earlier $47 million sale.
The original transaction, below the congressional reporting threshold, included system upgrades, software codes, maintenance equipment, launcher spare parts, and associated logistics support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale will enhance Bahrain’s defense capability and strengthen interoperability with US and regional coalition forces.
Bahrain holds the distinction of being the first Gulf state to fly F-16C/D Block 40 aircraft since the early 1990s and later became the first customer for Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Viper Block 70, through a deal worth about $3.8 billion sealed in 2017.
In June 2018, the Pentagon awarded a $1.1-billion production contract to Lockheed Martin, with the first airframe rolled out in March 2023. Delivery schedules were shifted to 2024 following COVID-19 disruptions.
Today, the Royal Bahraini Air Force operates approximately 20 F-16s, including five Block 70 variants already delivered, with more units expected soon.
