SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This 36(b) arms sales notification is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of the attached Transmittal 26-1F.

Transmittal No. RSAT 26-1F

Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology or Capability (SEC. 36(B)(5)(C), AECA)

(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Bahrain

(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 16-36

Date: April 27, 2018

Implementing Agency: Navy

Funding Source: National Funds

(iii) Description: On April 27, 2018, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 16-36 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of twelve (12) AH-1Z Attack Helicopters; twenty-six (26) T-700 GE 401C Engines (twenty-four (24) installed and two (2) spares); fourteen (14) AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles; and fifty-six (56) Advance Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS-II) WGU-59B. Also included were fifteen (15) Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) Inertial Navigation System (INS) (EGI) w/Standard Positioning Service (SPS) including three (3) spares and twelve (12) Joint Mission Planning Systems; twelve (12) M197 20mm gun systems; thirty (30) Tech Refresh Mission Computers; fourteen (14) AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight Systems; twenty six (26) Helmet Mounted Display/Optimized Top Owl; communication equipment; electronic warfare systems; fifteen (15) APX-117 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF); fifteen (15) AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems; fifteen (15) AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Sets; fifteen (15) APR-39C(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers; support equipment; spare engine containers; spare and repair parts; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total value was $911.4 million. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $490.9 million of this total. ( printed page 60117)

On April 15, 2019, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 18-0F of the possible sale, under section 36(b)(5)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act, of the addition of the following MDE items: one hundred forty-four (144) AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles; twelve (12) M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); twelve (12) M34 Hellfire dummy missiles; and six hundred two (602) Advance Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS-II) WGU-59B Guidance Sections. Also included were eight hundred twenty-six (826) MK-66 rocket motors; eight hundred twenty-six (826) MK-152 rocket warheads; fifty-six hundred (5,600) rounds of PGU-27 20mm ammunition; Operational chaff; Decoy Flares; and Impulse Cartridges. The total notified MDE value increased by $42.1 million to $533 million, and the total notified case value increased to $960 million.

On December 22, 2023, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 0B-23 of the possible sale, under section 36(b)(5)(A) of the Arms Export Control Act, of the addition of the following MDE items: sixty (60) Advance Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS-II) WGU-59B Guidance Sections. The estimated total value of the added items is $2 million. The total estimated MDE value increased by $2 million to $535 million. The estimated total case value did not increase, remaining $960 million.

This transmittal notifies the inclusion of the following MDE items: one thousand five hundred (1,500) Advance Precision Kill Weapon System-II (APKWS-II) WGU-59B/B Guidance Sections, Single Variant (Air-to-Air). The following non-MDE items will also be included: MK-152 high explosive warheads; MK-66 rocket motors; proximity fuzes; WTU-1/B practice warheads; inert MK-66 rocket motors; Launcher Aircraft Units (LAU-131); Triple Ejector Racks (TER-9/A), ejector racks (MAU-12), Bomb Rack Units (BRU-26A); Precision Armament Control System software; Sniper Operational Flight Plan update; LAU-131A/A or LAU-68F/A umbilical cables; flight testing; test support equipment; other support equipment; technical data; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; transportation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total cost of the new MDE article is $128 million. This results in a net increase in cost of MDE of $128 million, and a revised total cost for MDE of $663 million. The total cost of the new non-MDE article is $125 million. This results in a net increase in cost of non-MDE of $125 million, and a revised total cost for non-MDE of $550 million. The total case value increases by $253 million, resulting in a total case value of $1.213 billion.

(iv) Significance: This notification accounts for requested additional MDE and non-MDE items not included in the original notification. The inclusion of this MDE represents an increase in capability over what was previously notified. The proposed articles and services will support Bahrain's capability to meet current and future threats. Bahrain will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. This sale will improve interoperability with U.S. forces.

(v) Justification: This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally which is an important security partner in the region.

(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II (APKWS-II) Guidance Section Air-to-Air Rockets. The APKWS-II is a low cost, air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon that consists of a guidance section developed by BAE Systems, legacy 2.75-inch MK-66 Mod 4 rocket motor, legacy M151 or MK-152 high explosive warheads, and MK 435/436 point detonating fuze or M728 proximity fuze. The APKWS is a tactical rocket system that can be launched from several platforms, offering multi-mission, multi-target capability and precision-strike lethality. These guided rockets are steered to the target by following reflected laser beam energy directed onto the target either by the launching aircraft, a second aircraft, or ground-based troops operating a laser designator.

The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.

(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: July 31, 2026

91 FR 60116