The State Department has approved a possible $180 million Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for Huey II rotary wing aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $180 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Sept. 17.
The prime contractor is Bell Helicopter Textron [TXT].
Lebanon wants a possible sale of 18 Huey II rotary wing aircraft, spare and repair parts, maintenance, support equipment, publications and technical documentation. The sale would also include personnel training and training equipment, repair and return, aircraft preparation for shipment, ferry and refueling support, and component improvement program. It would require U.S. government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related logistics support.
The proposed sale of these aircraft will enable Lebanon to meet present and future challenges posed by internal and border security threats, evacuations, search and rescue, and drug interdiction operations.
The Huey II will augment Lebanon’s recently-purchased Huey II aircraft, help replace its aging fleet of UH-1H aircraft and provide the Lebanese armed forces with mission-capable assets.