Bahrain Mirror- Exclusive: Jane website for intelligence and defence stated that Lockheed Martin signed a USD22.45 million contract to supply the Bahrain Defence Forces (BDF) with an undisclosed number of Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) for its F-16 fighters.

The contract includes spares and support equipment for integration, with deliveries due to begin next year.

The Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) currently operates 20 F-16C/Ds and hopes to acquire up to 19 more advanced versions.

The RBAF acquired three Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-14 Sharpshooter targeting pods in 1996 for use with laser-guided bombs. It announced modernisation plans in 2013 that included replacing these pods and mentioned the Sniper ATP as a likely contender.

Sniper ATP detects, identifies, automatically tracks and laser-designates small tactical targets at long ranges. It also supports employment of all laser- and GPS-guided weapons against multiple fixed and moving targets.

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