FMS: Taiwan Seeks 30 Block III Apache Attack Helicopters and Related Weapons

Released on Friday, October 03, 2008

WASHINGTON, October 3, 2008 � Today the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Taiwan of 30 AH-64D Block III APACHE Longbow Attack Helicopters, as well as associated weapons, equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $2.532 billion.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States has requested a possible sale of 30 AH-64D Block III APACHE Longbow Attack Helicopters equipped with 30 Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (MTADS/PNVS), 17 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radar and AN/APR- 48 Radar Frequency Interferometer (FCR/RFI), 69 T700-GE-701D Turbine Engines, 173 STINGER Block I Air- to-Air Missiles, 35 STINGER Missile Captive Flight Trainers, 1,000 AGM-114L Longbow HELLFIRE Missiles, and 66 M299 HELLFIRE Longbow Missile Launchers. Also included: composite horizontal stabilators, crew and maintenance trainers, depot maintenance, all necessary support equipment, tools and test equipment, integration and checkout, spares and repair parts, training and training equipment, ferry and fuel support, publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, Quality Assurance Team, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $2.532 billion.

This sale is consistent with United States law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8.

This proposed sale serves U.S. national economic and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its defensive capability. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.

The proposed sale will provide for a more advanced targeting and engagement capability with the addition of the AH-64D with AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radar and its "fire and forget" capability with HELLFIRE missiles. The proposed sale will upgrade the anti-armor day/night missile capability, provide for the defense of vital installations, and provide close air support for the military ground forces. The Taiwan Army will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters, and weapon systems into its armed forces.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of two U.S. Government personnel for a period of six years to provide intensive coordination, monitoring, and technical assistance to assure smooth introduction of the AH-64D Block III APACHE system. Six contractor representatives will be in country serving as Contractor Field Service Representatives for a period of five years, with the possibility of a five-year extension.

The principal contractors will be: The Boeing Company Mesa, AZ (two locations) St Louis, MO; General Electric Lynn, MA; Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Orlando, FL Lockheed Martin Systems Integration Owega, NY; Northrop Grumman Corporation Baltimore, MD; Raytheon Company Tucson, AZ; Inter-Coastal Electronics Mesa, AZ; BAE Systems Rockville, MD.

The purchaser requested offsets; agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor.

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.