The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles and associated equipment to the UAE.
Under the estimated $2.5bn sale, the UAE has requested the refurbishment and modification of a total of 4,569 MRAP vehicles, including 29 of the MaxxPro long-wheel base, 1,085 MaxxPro LWB chassis and 264 MaxxPro Base / MRAP expedient armour programme capsules without armour.
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Additional MRAPs to be upgraded include 729 MaxxPro bases, 283 MaxxPro MEAPs without armour, 970 MaxxPro Plus and 15 MRAP recovery vehicles, as well as 1,150 Caiman multi-terrain vehicles without armour and 44 MRAP all-terrain vehicles.
Approved by the US State Department, the upgrade is scheduled to be performed on all MRAPs that were sold separately from US Army stock, pursuant to section 21 of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended for excess defence articles (EDA).
The package also covers underbody improvement kits, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, contractor logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The EDA MRAPs are expected to be used to increase force protection, for humanitarian assistance operations and also to safeguard critical international commercial trade routes and critical infrastructure.
In addition, the vehicles will boost the UAE’s burden sharing capacity and defensive capabilities.
The potential sale also contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the US by enhancing the security of the UAE, which continues to serve an important role in political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
Navistar Defense, BAE Systems and Oshkosh Defense have been named as prime contractors for the FMS programme.
