Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MUSCAT156
2009-03-03 09:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR ADVOCATES FOR F-16 SALES WITH OMANI NATIONAL
how-toVZCZCXRO4764 RR RUEHDE DE RUEHMS #0156 0620941 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 030942Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0191 INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/COMUSAFCENT SHAW AFB SC RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000156
NOFORN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SBU DELIBERATIVE PROCESS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019-03-03
TAGS: PREL MASS ETRD MU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ADVOCATES FOR F-16 SALES WITH OMANI NATIONAL
ECONOMY MINISTER
REF: a) A) MUSCAT 97, b) B) MUSCAT 82
CLASSIFIED BY: Gary A. Grappo, Ambassador, U.S. Department of State,
U.S. Embassy - Muscat; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000156
NOFORN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SBU DELIBERATIVE PROCESS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019-03-03
TAGS: PREL MASS ETRD MU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ADVOCATES FOR F-16 SALES WITH OMANI NATIONAL
ECONOMY MINISTER
REF: a) A) MUSCAT 97, b) B) MUSCAT 82
CLASSIFIED BY: Gary A. Grappo, Ambassador, U.S. Department of State,
U.S. Embassy - Muscat; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) In a February 24 meeting with Minister of National Economy
Ahmad bin Abdulnabi Macki, the Ambassador made a strong push for
Oman to purchase additional F-16 military fighter aircraft. The
Ambassador emphasized that the Eurofighter Typhoon was over twice
as expensive as the F-16 at published commercial rates, and noted
that the Sultanate would potentially save several hundred million
dollars if it were to buy two squadrons (24 aircraft) of Advanced
F-16 Block 50 fighters versus two squadrons of Typhoons. A
decision to purchase American fighter jets, which also offered
better performance than the Typhoons, would further spare Oman the
cost of building a new support infrastructure, given the existing
F-16 facilities already in place, he added.
2. (C) Macki replied that he fully recognized the significant cost
advantage of the F-16 over the Typhoon. From a purely financial
standpoint, the F-16 was the clear choice for modernization of the
Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO),and he accordingly favored the
purchase of more U.S. fighters. There were, however, "other
considerations" in the decision-making process that might lean
towards the Typhoon. Given uncertainty over Oman's public finances
amidst the global economic crisis and depressed oil prices, Macki
said he had advised Sultan Qaboos not to make a final decision on
military aircraft purchases until the middle of the year when the
economic outlook for the country became clearer.
3. (C) Comment: The fact that Oman may postpone a decision on new
fighter aircraft should not diminish or delay U.S. government
advocacy for the F-16. Post will continue to engage relevant
senior Omani contacts to emphasize the advantages of the F-16 over
its European competitor. To complement our efforts in Oman, post
requests the Department to promptly move forward in securing
advocacy letters from Secretary of Defense Gates and the Chief of
Staff, U.S. Air Force. End Comment.
GRAPPO
To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov/_layouts/OSS SearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:0fb20a37-2b85- 48b2-b44c-be6dc5a921cd
NOFORN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SBU DELIBERATIVE PROCESS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019-03-03
TAGS: PREL MASS ETRD MU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ADVOCATES FOR F-16 SALES WITH OMANI NATIONAL
ECONOMY MINISTER
REF: a) A) MUSCAT 97, b) B) MUSCAT 82
CLASSIFIED BY: Gary A. Grappo, Ambassador, U.S. Department of State,
U.S. Embassy - Muscat; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) In a February 24 meeting with Minister of National Economy
Ahmad bin Abdulnabi Macki, the Ambassador made a strong push for
Oman to purchase additional F-16 military fighter aircraft. The
Ambassador emphasized that the Eurofighter Typhoon was over twice
as expensive as the F-16 at published commercial rates, and noted
that the Sultanate would potentially save several hundred million
dollars if it were to buy two squadrons (24 aircraft) of Advanced
F-16 Block 50 fighters versus two squadrons of Typhoons. A
decision to purchase American fighter jets, which also offered
better performance than the Typhoons, would further spare Oman the
cost of building a new support infrastructure, given the existing
F-16 facilities already in place, he added.
2. (C) Macki replied that he fully recognized the significant cost
advantage of the F-16 over the Typhoon. From a purely financial
standpoint, the F-16 was the clear choice for modernization of the
Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO),and he accordingly favored the
purchase of more U.S. fighters. There were, however, "other
considerations" in the decision-making process that might lean
towards the Typhoon. Given uncertainty over Oman's public finances
amidst the global economic crisis and depressed oil prices, Macki
said he had advised Sultan Qaboos not to make a final decision on
military aircraft purchases until the middle of the year when the
economic outlook for the country became clearer.
3. (C) Comment: The fact that Oman may postpone a decision on new
fighter aircraft should not diminish or delay U.S. government
advocacy for the F-16. Post will continue to engage relevant
senior Omani contacts to emphasize the advantages of the F-16 over
its European competitor. To complement our efforts in Oman, post
requests the Department to promptly move forward in securing
advocacy letters from Secretary of Defense Gates and the Chief of
Staff, U.S. Air Force. End Comment.
GRAPPO
To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov/_layouts/OSS SearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:0fb20a37-2b85- 48b2-b44c-be6dc5a921cd