The State Department has approved a possible $1.2 billion deal with Mexico for eight MH-60 Multi-Mission helicopters.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the potential sale Wednesday.

A U.S. Navy MH-60R Helicopter using an AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) system as an integrated dipping sonar system. Photo: Lockheed Martin.
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Mexico has requested the MH-60s to be equipped with T-700 GE 401-C engines, APS-153 Multi-Mode radars, Airborne Low Frequency Systems, AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe transponders and AN/AAS-44C Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems Forward Looking Infrared Systems.

“Mexico has been a strong partner in combating organized crime and drug trafficking organizations,” the DSCA said in a statement. “Mexico intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing naval and maritime support of national security requirements and in its efforts to combat criminal organizations.”

The deal also includes 10 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, five AGM-114 M36-E9 Captive Air Training missiles, four AGM-114Q Hellfire training missiles, 38 Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System II rockets, 30 MK-54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedoes, 12 M-240D machine guns and 12 GAU-21 machine guns.

“The proposed sale will improve Mexico’s ability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems.  The MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter will enable Mexico to perform anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions and secondary missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay,” DSCA officials said.

The principal contractor for the deal is Lockheed Martin [LMT] Rotary and Mission Systems in Owego, N.Y.