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Monday, January 7, 2008       Free Headline Alerts

In last year, Bush to arm U.S. allies in Iran's neighborhood

WASHINGTON — As President Bush heads for the Middle East this week, the United States for the first time is prepared to offer an advanced air munitions kit to a Gulf state in a region under the shadow of an increasingly powerful Iran.

The Bush administration has approved a request by the United Arab Emirates for the Joint Direct Attack Munition. Officials said JDAM, a kit that converts general purpose bombs into precision-guided munitions, would be deployed on the new UAE fleet of F-16 multi-role fighters.

On Dec. 19, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible JDAM sale to the UAE. The sale, estimated at $326 million, was expected to be a prelude to an administration effort to sell JDAM to Saudi Arabia, Middle East Newsline reported.

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"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 that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," the agency said. "This proposed sale supports the prior sale of the Block 60 F-16s to the UAE."

Under the notification, announced by the Pentagon on Jan. 3, the UAE would receive up to 200 JDAM tail kits, produced by Boeing. Other elements of the sale included 224 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, 224 MK-84 2,000 pound general-purpose bombs, 450 GBU-24 Paveway-3 with MK-84 2,000 pound GPB, 488 GBU-12 Paveway-2 with MK-82 500 pound GPB, 1 M61A 20 mm Vulcan Cannon with Ammunition Handling System.

Meanwhile, Kuwait has requested additional anti-tank missiles from the United States.

The Bush administration has approved a Kuwaiti request for the TOW-2A missile. The request called for up to $328 million worth of TOW radio-frequency missiles as well as services.

The Pentagon said the proposed sale would reduce UAE dependency on the United States. Officials said the UAE would have no difficulty absorbing these additional munitions.

The principal contractors were identified as Boeing, Raytheon and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. Officials said the deal did not include offsets.

"Several U.S. Air Force pilots and maintenance Extended Training Service Specialists already in the United Arab Emirates are expected to remain for the next five years and will be able to support this potential sale," the agency said.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of the proposed TOW sale to Kuwait, a leading non-NATO ally of the United States. Officials said Congress was not expected to object.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," DSCA said on Jan. 3. "Additionally, the proposed sale will demonstrate the U.S. Government's commitment to our bilateral relationship."

Kuwait has requested up to 2,106 TOW-2A Radio Frequency missiles, 21 buy-to-fly missiles, 1,404 TOW-2B fadio frequency missiles, 14 buy-to-fly missiles as well as containers and spare parts. Kuwait has employed the TOW, manufactured by Raytheon, for the sheikdom's army.

"The proposed sale of additional TOW-2 missiles will fill an urgent requirement to enhance the reliability of Kuwait's TOW missile stock as its stocks of existing TOW missiles are nearing the end of their shelf life," the agency said. "The additional buy-to-fly missiles will be purchased for test purposes. Kuwait, which already has TOW-2 missiles in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles."


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