Bahrain, US sign $10B in sales contracts

MANAMA

Bahrain and the United States have signed contracts worth $10 billion, including one for the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Manama.

This was announced at a meeting between Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence at the White House, Bahrain’s official news agency reported late Thursday.

The news agency did not specify the exact number of F-16s involved in the deal or any other details.

On Oct. 17, the Bahraini military announced a deal with Lockheed Martin for the purchase of 16 upgraded F-16 aircraft worth a total of $3.8 billion.

It has not been disclosed whether Thursday’s agreement was linked to that deal or constituted a separate agreement.

Earlier Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump had received the Bahraini crown prince at the White House.

Reporting by Ahmed al-Masri:Writing by Ali H. M.Abo Rezeg