WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is hoping to sell the United Arab Emirates a theater wide missile defense system with an estimated value of 6.95 billion dollars, a defense agency said.
The proposed sale of the Theater High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system was notified to the US Congress this week along with Patriot PAC-3 missiles, AMRAM missiles, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
Congress has 30 days to raise objections to the proposal.
The THAAD system is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at high altitude, providing coverage over a wide area.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale is for three fire units, four radars sets, six fire and control communication stations, and nine missile launchers.
"The estimated cost is 6.95 billion dollars," the agency said.
"The proposed sale of the weapons will strengthen the effectiveness and interoperability of a potential coalition partner, reduce the dependence on US forces in the region, and enhance any coalition operations the US may undertake," it said in a statement.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation is the principal contractor, and Raytheon Corporation the subcontractor.
The PAC-3 missiles, valued at 121 million dollars, were for testing of missiles that had previously been requested by the UAE, the agency said.
Raytheon and Lockheed Martin are the principal contractors.
The agency also notified Congress of a possible sale to the UAE of 288 AIM-120-C-7 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, and 128 launchers. Raytheon is the prime contractor.
"The total value if all options are exercised could be as high as 445 million dollars," the DSCA said.
The proposed helicopter sale would be for 14 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with engines, spares, countermeasures and weapons. The DSCA said the deal would be worth 774 million dollars if all options are exercised.
It said the UAE would use the helicopters to protect its borders and US and coalition bases.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and General Electric would be the main contractors.
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