Oman eyes $177m deal for F-16 weapons

Oman is interested in buying weapons systems from the United States in a deal worth $117m.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement that it has notified Congress about a possible foreign military sale to the sultanate.

Oman wants to buy a number of F-16 weapon systems, as well as associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $117m. the Agency said.

The possible order would include 27 AIM-120C-7 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM), 162 GBU-12 Paveway II 500lb laser guided bombs, 162 FMU-152 bomb fuzes, 150 BLU-111B/B 500-lb conical fin general purpose bombs, 60 BLU-111B/B 500-lb retarded fin general purpose bombs and 32 CBU-105 wind corrected munitions dispensers.

"The proposed purchase of munitions will improve Oman’s capability to meet current and future regional threats and will provide a significant increase in the Royal Air Force of Oman’s (RAFO) capability to support both its own air defence needs as well as those of coalition operations," the Agency added.

The potential sale would be in support of RAFO’s current 12 F-16s as well as its ongoing acquisition of 12 others.


Source: arabianbusiness.com - 14 December 2012

Photo: The Royal Omani Air Force (RAFO) F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 50 Fighter Aircraft (Photo by files)


(14.12.2012)