State Dept. approves $785 million arms sale to UAE

WASHINGTON, July 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department has approved a $785 million arms sale to the United Arab Emirates for munitions, sustainment and support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees the U.S. Foreign Military sales program, notified Congress of the possible sale on Friday, the agency said in a statement Tuesday.

The sale would include 7,700 GBU-10 guidance kits and Mk-84/BLU-117 bombs, 5,940 Mk-82/BLU-111 bombs with GBU-12 guidance kits, 500 GBU-31V1 guidance kits with 500 Mk-84/BLU-117 bombs, 500 GBU-31V3 guidance kits with 500 BLU-109 bombs, and 14,640 FMU-152 fuzes.

The sale's cumulative value also includes $45 million in non-munition items.

Officials say the sale will help ensure the UAE remains an active member of the coalition fighting the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

"These munitions will sustain the UAE's efforts and support a key partner that remains an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," the agency said.

The country continues to provide host-nation support of U.S. forces stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base and was a partner in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The munitions will be sourced through procurement and the contractor determined during contract negotiations, the agency said.