Overview

• The DSCA notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain for four M142 launchers with vehicles, training, spares and support, with Lockheed Martin as principal contractor.
• The approval is a formal step rather than a completed transfer, and standard congressional review and contracting would precede any delivery.
• U.S. officials said the package would enhance Bahrain’s ability to support U.S. installations and coalition operations and asserted it would not change regional power dynamics.
• Bahrain already operates older M270 launchers and Chinese SR-5 systems, aligning with wider Gulf modernization of multiple-launch rocket capabilities.
• Separately, Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have test‑fired the GMARS wheeled launcher marketed to NATO partners, which doubles HIMARS pod capacity but has no confirmed buyers.