Oman pursues $1.2B missile deal

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Oman has asked the United States to sell it missiles and associated equipment and support valued at $1.248 billion.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability in the Middle East," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

"The proposed purchase of the AVENGER fire units and SL-AMRAAM will improve Oman's capability to meet current and future regional threats.

"Oman is developing a layered air defense capability that incorporates a larger Foreign Military Sale-Direct Commercial Sale hybrid effort. This modern multilayered air defense system will be integrated into the national command and control to protect strategic locations in Oman and its nearest vicinity," it said.

The complete Foreign Military Sales package includes 18 Avenger Fire Units, 266 STINGER-Reprogrammable Micro-Processor Block 1 Anti-Aircraft missiles, six Stinger Block 1 Production Verification Flight Test missiles, 24 Captive Flight Trainers, 18 AN/VRC-92E exportable Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems, 20 S250 shelters and 20 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles.

Also included: one AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel Radar software; 290 AIM-120C-7 Surface-Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles; six Guidance Sections, Surface-Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile software to support Oman's ground-based air defense System; training missiles, missile components, warranties, containers, weapon support equipment, repair and return, spare and repair parts.

The prime contractors will be Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson and Boeing of Huntsville, Ala.