WINCHESTER, Va. -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Middle East District issued an $8.4M contract modification in support of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s purchase of 16 F-16V Block 70 aircraft on 5 May.
For nearly 70 years, the Middle East District has supported U.S. military and allied mission partners in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
The District provides engineering, design, construction execution and related services to increase regional security and stability in support of enduring U.S. interests and contingency operations.
“This modification adds additional critical utility designs to the IOC package, resumes design of the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, and incorporates detailed changes captured at the IOC 35%, 65%, and 95% design review,” said Sean O'Bannon, design manager for Bahrain.
These Task Orders for the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAP) are some of the first foreign military sales cases TAM has had in Bahrain for several years.
“Case BA-D-SAB was requested and signed in November of 2017,” he said. “The case covers the purchase, fielding, and support of the F-16V Block 70 aircraft, including studies, design and construction advisory services for facilities and infrastructure.
“Under a separate contract action undertaken by the Air Force Security Assistance Center (AFSAC), an industry consultant prepared a Bed-Down Survey Report outlining the proposed facilities, infrastructure and siting information. TAM prepared site layouts based on the requirements to support the aircraft and the Bed-Down Survey Report. AFSAC has requested CETAM to prepare construction document packages for the proposed facilities to be located at Isa Air Base (IAB)," O’Bannon said.
According to a U.S. State Department news release, this sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally which is an important security partner in the region. Our mutual defense interests anchor our relationship and the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) plays a significant role in Bahrain's defense. The proposed sale improves Bahrain's ability to meet current and future threats. Bahrain will use these capabilities as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. These weapons support the new procurement of F-16 Block 70 and upgrades of existing F-16V aircraft, providing an increase in the capability of existing aircraft to sustain operations, meet training requirements, and support transition training for pilots to the upgraded aircraft. This proposed sale and upgrade will improve interoperability with U.S. forces and other regional allies. Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
“At the conclusion of these task orders, Bahrain will become the first and only Nation to own and operate the brand new Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 aircraft,” he said.