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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain of refurbished Bell AH-1W Super Cobra attack/multi-role helicopters, the agency announced on 29 March 2023.

The proposed sale, which must still be approved by the US Congress, is worth an estimated USD 350 M (EUR 321.6 M) and covers equipment and services to refurbish 24 Excess Defense Article (EDA) AH-1Ws. Also included are services to refurbish a full-motion aircraft procedures trainer, M272A1 missile launchers and spare T-700-GE-401 engines, spare parts, support, training, publications, and other related elements of logistics and programme support.

The Royal Bahraini Air Force is already a Cobra operator, having in service 12 AH-1Z Vipers as well as around 17 older AH-1FBs and up to six TAH-1P trainers.

“The proposed sale will improve Bahrain’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to fulfill maritime patrol, close air support, and search-and-rescue missions. Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing these defense articles and services into its armed forces,” the DSCA stated.

The last AH-1W in US Marine Corps service was retired in October 2020, with the type replaced by the AH-1Z Viper.

Peter Felstead