US approves emergency F-16 weapons for UAE

The UAE has been approved to buy additional air-to-surface and air-to-air munitions for its F-16 fleet. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The US government has approved an emergency package of air-launched weapons for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD) valued at a combined USD1.864 billion.

Announced by the US Department of State on 19 March, two separate approvals cover air-to-air missiles and precision-guided bombs for the UAE AFAD's fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60+ Desert Falcon combat aircraft.

“The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the UAE,” the Department of State said of both approvals.

For the first approval, the UAE has been cleared to buy 400 RTX AIM-120C-7 or AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), as well as related equipment, services, and support for an estimated USD1.22 billion.

For the second approval, the UAE has been cleared to buy 1,500 Boeing GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs Increment I (SDB 1) and 300 KMU-557 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance sets, as well as related equipment, services, and support for an estimated USD644 million. This approval includes the Joint Mission Planning System with unique planning components and software.

The approval notifications did not disclose delivery timelines.

The UAE AFAD fields 78 F-16s which are supplemented by 62 Dassault Mirage 2000-9 fighters. It has also signed for 80 Dassault Rafales, deliveries of which are yet to commence.

For more, please see:US approves ‘emergency' restock of Israeli 1,000 lb bomb inventory