United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)

­­­The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II All-Up-Rounds for an estimated cost of $900 million.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested a possible sale of twenty thousand four (20,004) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II All-Up-Rounds.  Also included is weapon support and test equipment, spares, technical publications, personnel training, other training equipment, transportation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.  The estimated total case value is $900 million.

The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the United Arab Emirates of the above defense articles (and defense services) in the national security interests of the United States, thereby waiving the Congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of an important partner in the region.  This sale is consistent with U.S. initiatives to provide key partners in the region with modern systems that will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and increase security.

The APKWS will provide the UAE with flexibility in the use of proportional, precision fires when operating in remote and mountainous regions as well as populated areas.  The APKWS will complement the Hellfire II missile as a secondary precision munition with lower collateral damage potential.  These aspects make the APKWS, employed in conjunction with UAE's multiple types of helicopters and Hellfire II missiles, an appropriate munition for the UAE's counterterrorism operations.  UAE will have no difficulty absorbing the APKWS into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be BAE Systems, Nashua, NH.  There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require up to 20 U.S. Government and up to 30 contractor representatives to travel to UAE.

There will be no adverse impact on 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.