The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Afghanistan for individual and crew served weapons, equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $60 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 17, 2016.
The Government of Afghanistan has requested a possible sale of:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
- Four thousand, eight hundred and ninety-one (4,891) M16A4 5.56mm Rifles
- Four hundred and eighty-five (485) M240B 7.62mm Machine Guns
- Eight hundred (800) M2 .50 caliber Machine Guns
Non-MDE:
Also included with this request are M249 Light Automatic Machine Guns; M110 7.62mm Sniper Rifles; MK-19 40mm Grenade Launchers; MK-93 40mm Machine Gun Mounts; M3 Tripod Machine Gun Mounts; Spare Barrels; spare and repair parts; lot validation; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; Quality Assurance Team; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $60 million.
The proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner by providing weapons needed to maintain security and stability, as well as to conduct offensive operations against an ongoing insurgency. A stable and secure Afghanistan is vital to regional stability. This proposed sale will also demonstrate the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan’s security.
Afghanistan has an urgent requirement to increase its stocks of crew-served weapons for ongoing counter-insurgency operations and enduring threats to its national sovereignty. These articles were determined to be necessary and are based on Afghanistan’s force structure and operational requirements.
The Afghan National Army (ANA) will use these weapons and equipment in both offensive and defensive operations against insurgents and terrorists within their borders. Without these defense articles, the ANA will not have the military capabilities that are necessary to maintain security and stability. The ANA is thoroughly trained and prepared to use the proposed defense articles. Afghanistan will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
While equipment for the ANA is typically purchased with Title 10 Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF) appropriations and implemented by DSCA through pseudo-FMS cases, Afghanistan will use U.S. government grants to fund and support this proposed purchase.
The principal contractor for the M240B will be FN America, Colombia, South Carolina. The principal contractors for the M16A4, M2, and other weapons have not been identified pending open competition and contract award. Some items may be drawn from Army stocks to meet desired delivery dates. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this sale will require the assignment of approximately 8 additional U.S. Government and approximately 6 contractor representatives to Afghanistan for approximately 5-6 weeks in support of the fielding, maintenance and personnel training.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
