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Emirates requests Sidewinder missiles

An A-10 Thunderbolt pilot from the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass., fires an AGM-65 Maverick at a ground target on the Eglin Test Range during Combat Hammer recently. (UPI Photo/Michael Ammons/Air Force)
1 of 4 | An A-10 Thunderbolt pilot from the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass., fires an AGM-65 Maverick at a ground target on the Eglin Test Range during Combat Hammer recently. (UPI Photo/Michael Ammons/Air Force) | License Photo

WASHINGTON, April 20 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates has asked the United States to approve the sale of 218 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles and associated equipment.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in reporting the possible Foreign Military Sale to Congress, said the deal would be worth $251 million.

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In addition to 218 Sidewinders, the deal would include 40 CATM-9X-2 Captive Air Training Missiles, 18 AIM-9X-2 WGU-51/B Tactical Guidance Units, eight CATM-9X-2 WGU-51/B Guidance Units, eight Dummy Air Training Missiles, containers, support and test equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment.

U.S. government and contractor engineering and logistics support services and other related elements of logistics support, would also be part of the package.

"The proposed sale of the weapons will allow the United Arab Emirates to deploy aircraft to materially assist the U.S. in overseas contingency operations," DSCA said.

"The weapons will strengthen the effectiveness and interoperability of a potential coalition partner, reduce the dependence on U.S. forces in the region and enhance any coalition operations the U.S. may undertake."

DSCA said the prime contractor would be the Raytheon Missiles Systems Co. in Tucson and that there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with the potential sale.

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Also, implementation of the proposed sale would not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to the United Arab Emirates.

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