The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $500 million sale of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to Bahrain, marking a significant strengthening of defense ties between Washington and its Gulf ally. The announcement was confirmed by the Pentagon on August 14, 2025.
Under the proposed deal, Bahrain would receive four HIMARS launch units, three International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems, and a range of supporting equipment including practice rocket pods, resupply vehicles, GPS receivers, communications gear, simulators, spare parts, and training, along with U.S. government and contractor support.
Lockheed Martin, based in Grand Prairie, Texas, will serve as the principal contractor for the transaction, with no offset agreements currently in place.
From Washington’s perspective, the sale strengthens the security capabilities of “a major non-NATO ally” and aligns with U.S. foreign policy goals to bolster regional stability in the Middle East. The new systems are expected to augment Bahrain’s ability to support U.S. military installations and personnel, enhance its interoperability within U.S.-led coalitions, and allow greater autonomous defense operations in the theater. The U.S. Department of Defense has indicated that the sale will not disturb the existing regional military balance, nor will it affect U.S. military readiness.
Implementation will require a brief deployment of five U.S. government personnel and ten contractor representatives over approximately four months to facilitate equipment setup and provide operator and maintenance training.
Contextually, Bahrain’s request aligns with broader U.S. efforts to solidify partnerships in the Gulf, amid heightened regional tensions and evolving security dynamics. The enhanced missile capabilities provided by HIMARS offer Bahrain a precision-strike tool with strategic and deterrence value, comparable to that previously granted to partners like Ukraine in their own defense contexts.
As the U.S. submits the required certification for congressional scrutiny under the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) protocol, the transaction now awaits congressional approval. If finalized, the deal would represent one of the largest U.S. defense arms sales to Bahrain, reinforcing a steadily deepening military relationship between the two nations.
