This story was updated to clarify that contract negotiations are between the U.S. government and Raytheon, as the sale is through the Foreign Military Sales process.

WASHINGTON — Bahrain has signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the U.S. government to buy the Patriot air and missile defense system, triggering contract negotiations for the foreign military sale between the U.S. and Patriot-maker Raytheon, according to a company statement.

Bahrain is the newest and 17th customer of the Patriot worldwide, including the United States.

The kingdom is not disclosing the quantity of systems and missiles that might be on order, but the U.S. State Department cleared the possible foreign military sale of the Patriot in May for an estimated pric of $2.5 billion.

According to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency notification of the possible FMS sale, the deal would include 60 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles, 36 Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missiles with canisters, nine M903 launchers, two AN/MPQ-65 radar sets, control stations and association equipment.

US Army’s missile defense radar program advances into prototype competition The Army is kicking off a prototyping competition for its next-generation air and missile defense radar.

Raytheon’s Patriot “will ensure the Kingdom of Bahrain is well-equipped to defend against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and manned and unmanned aircraft,” Ralph Acaba, company president of Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business, said in the statement.

Recent new customers include Poland, Romania and Sweden. Other Middle Eastern customers include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

× Fear of missing out? Sign up for the Early Bird Brief, the defense industry's most comprehensive news and information, straight to your inbox. Thanks for signing up. By giving us your email, you are opting in to the Early Bird Brief.

Raytheon has seen a relative windfall in new Patriot customers over the past couple of years in deals totaling $18 billion, but all of those new customers are European and were responding to what they perceive as Russian aggression in the region.

Poland’s Patriot deal is expected to cost about $10.5 billion, according to State Department estimates.

Poland officially signs deal to buy Patriot from US Poland has officially signed a letter of offer and acceptance for Patriot air and missile defense systems after years of negotiations.