Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United Arab Emirates has requested a huge amount of advanced armored personnel carriers from the United States as security threats in the Gulf region intensify with the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL).

The administration of President Barack Obama has reported a UAE request for $2.5 billion worth of armored combat vehicles. The administration has notified Congress that Abu Dhabi could order the refurbishment and modification of 4,569 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, known as MRAP, and drawn from U.S. Army surplus.
The UAE intends to utilize the EDA MRAP vehicles to increase force protection, to conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and to protect vital international commercial trade routes and critical infrastructure,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
Officials said the State Department has approved the UAE request, linked to the Excess Defense Articles program. Under the modification, the MRAPs, produced by Oshkosh Defense, would include underbody improvement kits as well as spare parts and training.
“Additionally, these MRAPs will enhance UAE’s burden-sharing capacity and defensive capabilities,” the Pentagon agency said.
In a statement on Sept. 26, DSCA said the request included recovery vehicles as well as armor. About a quarter of the platforms would consist of Caiman Multi-Terrain Vehicles without armor.
Other contractors were identified as BAE Systems and Navistar Defense. DSCA said the project would not contain offsets.
“Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to the UAE involving many U.S. government and contractor representatives for approximately three or more years to provide program support and training,” DSCA said.

  ISIL, MRAP, Peace now? UAE orders $2.5 billion worth of armored vehicles from U.S., WorldTribune.com