The State Department has approved Afghanistan’s request to purchase crew-served and individual weapons and related support from the U.S. government under a potential $60 million foreign military sales agreement.
Afghanistan asked to buy 4, 891 units of M16A4 rifles, 485 M240B machines guns and 800 M2 machine guns in support of the Afghan national army’s defensive and offensive operations against terrorists and insurgents within the country’s borders, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Thursday.
Columbia, South Carolina-based firearms manufacturer FN America will serve as principal contractor for the M240BÂ machine gun sale, while the contractors for other weapons have not been named, pending competition.
The FMS transaction also includes sniper rifles, tripod gun mounts, grenade launchers, repair parts, spares, training resources, publications, logistics and technical support services.
The sale also calls for the deployment of eight government and six contractor personnel to Afghanistan for up to six weeks to support staff training and maintenance efforts.
DCSA said it notified Congress of the potential sale Wednesday.
