The State Department approved a possible $335 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for AN/AAQ 24(V) Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) systems and associated equipment, parts and logistical support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on July 28.

The primary contractors would be Boeing [BA] and Northrop Grumman [NOC]. There are no known offset agreements in connection with the possible sale.

The AN/AAQ-24(v) Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM). Photo: Northrop Grumman
The AN/AAQ-24(v) Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM). Photo: Northrop Grumman

The requested FMS would include four AN/AAQ 24(V) DIRCM systems for UAE’s head of state aircraft. The sale contains 20 small laser transmitter assemblies, 10 system processors, and 30 AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning System sensors, Control Interface Units (CIU), Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASM), and Classified User Data Module (UDM) cards.

The sale would also include support and test equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, repair and return, Group A and B installation, flight test and certification, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor logistics, engineering, and technical support services and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The potential sale would enhance the safety of the UAE’s political leadership while bolstering U.S.-UAE relations, DSCA said.

Implementation of the FMS would require one field service representative to live in the UAE for up to two years. It would also require U.S. government or contractor representatives to travel to the UAE for up to six years to conduct program execution, delivery, technical support, and training.