FMS: UAE Wants UH-60M Helicopters

Released on Friday, July 28, 2006

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates 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 $808 million.

The Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible sale of 26 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with engines, 4 spare T-700-GE-701D turbine engines, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, ground support, communications equipment, contractor engineering, logistics, a Quality Assurance Team, aircraft survivability equipment, tools and test equipment, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $808 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 that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates plans to increase its air mobility capabilities and increase its existing helicopter fleet. The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters will be used for various military operations to include the protection of sovereign borders as well as the protection and defense of U.S. and coalition strategic facilities. The proposed purchase of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters will greatly enhance UAE's military functionality by increasing deterrence capabilities.

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 Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut and General Electric of Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of one Contractor Field Service and up to six U.S. Government Quality Assurance representatives to United Arab Emirates for two years to assist in the delivery and deployment of the helicopters.

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.