US State Department approves $1.8 billion in arms deal
24 JANUARY, 2017 SOURCE: FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM BY: LEIGH GIANGRECO WASHINGTON DC
The US State Department has inked $1.8 billion in arms deals for the UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Kenya this week, including air-to-air missiles and threat detection systems.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the approved the deals 23 January. The foreign military sales are pending Congressional approval.
Much of the money is directed toward sustainment and support, such as the $400 million for sustainment and contractor logistics support for Boeing AH-64D Apache Helicopters for Kuwait. The UK would ink a $400 million sale to continue logistics support for eight Boeing C-17 Globemasters. The UK’s current support contract will expire this September and the new contract will upgrade the aircraft’s communications system and heads up display.
Raytheon scored with a $110 million contract for 60 AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles to fit Kuwait’s Boeing F/A-18C Hornets. In November, DSCA also approved the sale of 40 F/A-18Es and F/A-18Fs Super Hornets to Kuwait.
Under a $525 million sale, Saudi Arabia would receive ten 74K Persistent Threat Detection System. The sale did not identify the prime contractor, though the PTDS is designed by Lockheed Martin. The US Army has used the tethered lighter-than-air vehicle for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions across Afghanistan and Iraq for over a decade, according to Lockheed. The contract also includes fourteen ground moving target indicator radars and ground control systems.
The State Department also approved a $418 million FMS contract for twelve Air Tractor AT- 802L converted cropdusters that will aid Kenya in the fight against al-Shabaab. The contract includes two AT-504 trainer aircraft and weapons packages.
The Air Tractors are more efficient and able to fly closer to conflict zones than Kenya’s aging Northrop F-5E fighters, according to the DSCA.
“The platform maximizes the Kenyan Defense Force’s close air support ability because it is a short-field aircraft capable of using precision munitions and cost effective logistics and maintenance,” the DSCA notice states.
Original post flightglobal.com
****-END-****
Major Arms Sales: January 2017
Government of Kuwait – Sustainment and Contractor Logistics Support for AH-64D Apache Helicopters
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2017 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait for sustainment and contractor logistics support for AH-64D Apache Helicopters. The estimated cost is $400 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Kuwait has requested the sale of support equipment and services for its AH-64D Apache helicopters, to include: Apache Maintainer unit support, Depot Level support, training devices, helmets, simulators, generators, transportation, wheeled vehicles and organization equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, United States Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The total overall estimated value is $400 million…..
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 74K Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) Aerostats
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2017 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 74K Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) Aerostats and related equipment, support, and training. The estimated cost is $525 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of ten (10) 74K Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) Aerostats; fourteen (14) Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) Radars; twenty-six (26) MX-20 Electro-Optic Infrared (EO/IR) Cameras; and ten (10) Communications Intelligence (COMINT) Sensors. Also included are the Mooring systems with powered tether with embedded fiber optics; Ground Control Systems (GCS); associated installation hardware; special tools and test equipment; Basic Issue Items (BII); program management support; verification testing; systems technical support; transportation; spare and repair parts; communications equipment; operators and maintenance manuals; personnel training and training equipment; tool and test equipment; repair and return; publications and technical documentation; Quality Assurance Team (QAT); U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; in-country Field Service Representatives (FSR); and other related elements of logistics and program support. Total estimated program cost is $525 million…..
United Kingdom – Continuation of C-17 Logistics Support Services and Equipment
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2017 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of continued C-17 logistics support services, and equipment. The estimated cost is $400 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of the United Kingdom has requested a possible sale of continued logistics support for eight (8) C-17 aircraft which will include: contract labor for sustainment engineering, on-site COMSEC support, Quality Assurance, support equipment repair, supply chain management, spares replenishment, maintenance, back shop support, centralized maintenance support/associated services, and additional spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation. Required upgrades will include fixed installation satellite antenna, Mode 5+ installation and sustainment, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, Communications Modernization (CNS/ATM) Phase II, Replacement Heads-Up Display and three special operations loading ramps. The estimated total cost is $400 million…..
Kuwait – AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2017 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). The estimated cost is $110 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of sixty (60) AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Missiles including containers and other related services. The total overall estimated value is $110 million.
This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. Kuwait is a strategic partner in maintaining stability in the region. This sale will increase Kuwait’s interoperability with the United States. It also ensures a sustained air-to-air capability for Kuwait’s F/A-18 aircraft…..
Government of Kenya – Air Tractor Aircraft with Weapons and Related Support
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2017 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kenya for Air Tractor aircraft with weapons, and related support. The estimated cost is $418 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 19, 2017.
The Government of Kenya has requested a possible sale of up to twelve (12) Air Tractor AT- 802L and two (2) AT-504 trainer aircraft, weapons package, technical support and program management. The total estimated program cost is $418 million.
This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strong regional partner who is a regional security leader undertaking critical operations against al-Shabaab and troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)…..
