FMS: Egypt Seeks Four UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters

Released on Tuesday, September 09, 2008

WASHINGTON, September 9, 2008 � The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt of UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopters as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $176 million.

The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of 4 UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopters with 8 T-700-GE-701D engines, 1 spare T-700-GE-701D engine, 4 AN/APR-39A(V)2 Radar Signal Detecting Sets, 4 AN/ALQ-144A(V)1 Infrared Countermeasure Sets, 4 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS), 4 AN/AVR-2A Laser Warning Sets, and 4 Improved Hover Infrared Suppression Systems (IHIRSS). Also included: SAFIRE/II/HD Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), M130 Flare and Chaff Dispensers, and AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser Systems (CMDS), spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $176 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

Egypt needs these helicopters to support a newly established military Search and Rescue Operations Center and to assist with border security missions. The helicopters will be used to perform search and rescue, surveillance, observation missions, and to modernize Egypt's existing aircraft inventory. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing these additional aircraft into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be: Sikorsky Aircraft (United Technologies) Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut, Schweizer Aircraft Company of Horseheads, New York, and General Electric Aircraft Company of Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U. S. Government or contractor personnel in Egypt.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.