State Department approves $176M upgrade for Bahrain's rocket launchers

Bahrain could spend up to $176 million on upgrades, training and spare parts for nine tracked rocket launchers, under a deal approved by the State Department.

Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractor for the project to upgrade Bahrain’s M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems to the A1 version, according to a March 24 Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement. That is the same version the U.S. Army currently uses.

The upgrades will include the Common Fire Control System, according to the announcement. This system, which is currently being added to American M270s as part of the upgrade to the A2 standard, allows compatibility with the upcoming Precision Strike Missile and Extended Range Guided MLRS missile.

This sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region, and it will have no negative impact on American national security, according to the announcement.

“The proposed sale will improve Bahrain’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing Bahrain’s ability to defend itself against regional malign actors and improve interoperability with systems operated by U.S. forces and other Gulf countries,” the announcement stated.