The U.S. Department of State has cleared the possible sale of high-speed anti-radiation missile control section modification upgrade and related equipment to the United Arab Emirates for $144 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which announced the State Department’s approval, said RTX of Tucson, Arizona, will be the principal contractor of the requested purchase of up to 149 of the missile upgrade kits.
Abu Dhabi’s request also includes high-bandwidth HSCM telemetry kits along with related equipment and support, such as HARM control section containers, encryption tools, test flight and live-fire range support, and U.S. government and contractor engineering.
DSCA said the UAE’s military armory already has the HARM in its inventory, and the Emirates’ armed forces can absorb the upgrade kits without difficulty. The proposed sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives and will not affect the military balance in the Middle East or adversely impact U.S. defense readiness, the agency added.
The kits’ supplier RTX has strengthened its UAE presence following the establishment of Abu Dhabi-based Raytheon Emirates in 2017. The company also has facilities in Dubai and the Jebel Ali Free Zone.
