US State Department approves potential sale of Abrams tanks to Bahrain

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of $2.2 billion worth of Abrams M1A2 tanks and related equipment to Bahrain, TASS reports citing the Pentagon's Security Cooperation Agency. The agency is responsible for the supply of military equipment and weapons abroad under government-to-government contracts.

According to the agency's statement, the foreign policy agency "approved the potential sale of Abrams M1A2 battle tanks and related equipment to the Government of Bahrain for an estimated cost of $2.2 billion". The document states that the Bahraini authorities had previously requested permission to purchase 50 tanks, four M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles, bridge and mine-resistant vehicles, machine guns, ammunition, training and other equipment from the US.

The US administration has already notified Congress of the decision. The Pentagon has assured that the arms sale will not affect US combat readiness or upset the balance of power in the region.