The State Department approved a possible $180 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request to Australia for CH-47F Chinook helicopters and related equipment and support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Dec. 18.
Major defense equipment (MDE) in the requested FMS would include three CH-47F Chinook helicopters; six T55-GA-714A aircraft turbine engines; three Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade & Below (FBCB2)/Blue Force Tracker (BFT); three Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS); three Honeywell H-764 Embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation Systems; and three Infrared Signature Suppression Systems. The MDE value is $105 million.
Non-MDE from the request includes AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders, Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver (DAGR), AN/ARC-201D SINCGARS Airborne Radio Systems, AN/ARC-220 High Frequency Airborne Communication Systems, AN/ARC-231(V)(C) Airborne VHF/UHF/LOS SATCOM Communications Systems, KY-100 Secure Communication Systems, KIV-77 Common IFF Cryptographic Computers, AN/AVS-6 Aviator’s Night Vision Systems, AN/ARN-147 Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni Ranging/Instrument Landing System Receiver, AN/PYQ-10(C) Simple Key Loaders, AN/ARN-153 Tactical Airborne Navigation (TACAN) System, spare parts, tools, ground support equipment, technical publications, and contractor and U.S. government technical services.
The prime contractor for the sale would be Boeing [BA], the producer of the Chinook, with no known offset agreements associated at notification time.
Australia would use the helicopters to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats, DSCA said.
The agency also highlighted the CH-47F rotorcraft would replace Australia’s retiring CH-47D.
Implementation of the sale would not require the assignment of any additional U.S. or contractor representatives to Australia.