WASHINGTON, Sep 26, 2014 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $2.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible sale for the refurbishment and modification of 4,569 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles (that include 29 MaxxPro Long Wheel Base (LWB), 1,085 MaxxPro LWB chassis, 264 MaxxPro Base/MRAP Expedient Armor Program (MEAP) capsules without armor, 729 MaxxPro Bases, 283 MaxxPro MEAP without armor, 970 MaxxPro Plus, 15 MRAP Recovery Vehicles, 1,150 Caiman Multi-Terrain Vehicles without armor, and 44 MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles) being sold separately from U.S. Army stock pursuant to section 21 of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, as Excess Defense Articles (EDA). Also included are Underbody Improvement Kits, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, Field Service Representatives’ support, U.S. Government and contractor logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. Notification for the sale from stock of the MRAP vehicles referenced above has been provided separately, pursuant to the requirements of section 7016 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 and section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. The estimated cost is $2.5 billion.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the U.S. by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The UAE intends to utilize the EDA MRAP vehicles to increase force protection, to conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and to protect vital international commercial trade routes and critical infrastructure. Additionally, these MRAPs will enhance UAE’s burden sharing capacity and defensive capabilities.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be Navistar Defense in Lisle, Illinois; BAE Systems in Sealy, Texas; and Oshkosh Defense in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to the UAE involving many U.S. Government and contractor representatives for approximately three or more years to provide program support and training.
There will be no adverse impact on the U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.
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