The US government on Friday said it approved a possible sale of $150 million worth of equipment to Bahrain to maintain its fleet of Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter jets.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales, told lawmakers that the Bahraini government had requested equipment for support and communications, ammunition and spare parts valued at $150 million.

Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, which the DSCA said was needed to maintain the operational readiness of the aging F-16 fleet of the Royal Bahrain Air Force.

US officials have repeatedly defended the decision to resume security assistance to Bahrain, citing their participation in coalition strikes against the hardline militant group Islamic State. - Reuters