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U.S. to sell Bahrain AMRAAM missiles

March 5, 1999 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The United States will sell air-to-air missiles to Bahrain to bolster the security of Gulf states against Iraq and Iran.
They have givenfinal approval to Bahrain's request to buy the AIM-120B Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), for its U.S. -made F-16 jets. It is unknown how many missiles would be sold. Washington has also agreed to sell the missiles to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Israel is currently the only Middle East state that has the AMRAAM, made by Raytheon Co.

The missiles seek and destroy enemy aircraft at ranges of more than 50miles (80 km). The exact range is classified.

Note: Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet in the Gulf.