The U.S. State Department authorized the possible sale to Bahrain of AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters decommissioned in 2020 by the U.S. Marines.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a statement reporting the Gulf state’s request for the purchase of up to 24 Bell AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters and associated equipment.
As reported by DSCA, the potential sale, valued at $350 million, would be made under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and includes the following items:
- 24 refurbished AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters
- M272A1 missile launchers
- spare T-700-GE-401 engines
- one overhauled Air Procedures Trainer (APT)
The package offered by the U.S. also includes spare parts, personnel training, publications and other related logistical and program support items.
AH-1W Super Cobra
The AH-1W is a twin-engine, two-seat helicopter capable of land or maritime operations. The AH-1W provided fire support and fire support coordination to the landing force during amphibious assaults and subsequent land operations.
The Super Cobra first flew in 1983 and began being delivered to United States Marine Corps (USMC) units in 1986, with the last being received in 1999, for a total of 179 units.
During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 48 AH-1W helicopters were credited with the destruction of 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and miscellaneous vehicles, 16 bunkers and 2 anti-aircraft artillery sites without loss of any aircraft.
The end of Super Cobra’s career
On October 19, 2020, the United States Marine Corps officially decommissioned its Super Cobra fleet after 30 years of service. Some of the newer units were converted to the AH-1Z Viper variant, but most of the USMC’s AH-1Ws were replaced with brand new factory units.
The remaining units ended up preserved in the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), awaiting sale or transfer to an allied nation, such as Bahrain.
