Bahrain is planning to beef up its military to 'counter major regional threats' with the purchase of surface-to-surface missiles worth over BD25 million ($66.3 million), according to the US Department of Defence (DoD).
The government has requested the purchase of 30 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) T2K Unitary Missiles, according to the American Defence Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) - which comes under the DoD.
DSCA estimated the cost of the missiles, along with associated training, support and software, to reach around $70 million (BD26.46 million) in total. The organization went on to say the new equipment would modernize Bahrain's armed forces, while further enhancing interoperability with the US and other allies.
The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Industries in Camden, Arkansas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
According to the DSCA, the proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately three government or contractor representatives to travel to Bahrain for a period of two weeks for equipment de-processing, fielding, system checkout and training.
ATACMS is a family of long-range, near all-weather guided missiles fired from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270 launcher. The system allows 'precision engagement' with an enemy 'throughout the depth of the battlefield beyond the range of currently fielded cannons and rockets', according to the Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network.
'It delays, disrupts, neutralizes or destroys high payoff targets such as combat maneuver units, surface-to-surface missile units, air defense units, command/control/communications sites and helicopter forward area rearming/refueling points,' it added.
The DCSA reported in August last year that Bahrain had requested US government's permission to buy advanced 25 air-to-air missiles, worth an estimated $74 million.
It was also reported earlier this year that Bahrain was one of four Gulf countries receiving Patriot anti-missile systems from the US.