WASHINGTON, Sept. 5: The US State Department has approved a possible $188 million Foreign Military Sale to Oman covering sustainment services, equipment and technical assistance for the Gulf nation’s existing fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft.
The proposed package is aimed at supporting Oman’s current and future defence requirements while enhancing its ability to respond to security challenges and operate alongside the United States and other coalition partners.
According to the State Department, the deal would include major and minor modification support, spare parts, aircraft components, communications equipment, precision navigation and measurement systems, as well as training, technical assistance, software and logistics support.
The department said the proposed sale would advance US foreign policy and national security interests by strengthening the defence capabilities of a longstanding partner in the Middle East.
The assistance is also expected to improve opportunities for joint training and military exercises between the US and Omani armed forces, further strengthening interoperability between the two countries.
Oman already operates F-16 aircraft and is considered capable of integrating the proposed equipment and services into its armed forces without significant difficulty, the State Department said.
The US administration also assessed that the potential agreement would not change the existing military balance in the region or negatively affect US defence readiness.
No principal contractor has been identified for the proposed transaction. Depending on implementation requirements, support could be provided directly by the US government or through contracted vendors.
The State Department said it was not currently aware of any proposed offset arrangement linked to the deal. Any such agreement would be determined during negotiations between Oman and the relevant contractor.
Implementation of the potential sale is also not expected to require the deployment of additional US government personnel or contractor representatives to Oman, according to the department.
The proposed transaction reflects continued US efforts to strengthen defence cooperation with Oman and maintain the country’s military readiness through sustainment and technical support for its existing F-16 fleet.