WASHINGTON 

The US State Department has approved the possible sale to Bahrain of sustainment for F-16 fighter jets and related equipment, the Pentagon said Monday.

The estimated cost is $445 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

"The proposed sale will improve Bahrain’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that can deter adversaries and provide the capability to participate in regional operations with the United States and other U.S. partner nations," it said.

The principal contractors will be General Electric Aerospace, located in Ohio, and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, located in Texas.

The agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Monday.