The State Department approved a potential $3.4 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 18 CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopters to Israel as well as an $83.5 million sale of hundreds of Javelin missiles to Thailand.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the sale on July 30.

Israel’s request includes the 18 helicopters as well as up to 60 T408-GE-400 Engines (54 installed, six spares); up to 36 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM); communication equipment; GAU-21 .50 caliber Machine Guns; and other support and logistics services.

The prime contractors for this sale are Lockheed Martin [LMT] and General Electric [GE].

DSCA said the helicopters would “improve the Israeli Air Force’s capability to transport armored vehicles, personnel, and equipment to support distributed operations.”

The agency also said Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and strengthen homeland defense.

Separately, the State Department approved an $83.5 million FMS for 300 Javelin FGM-148 missiles to Thailand. DSCA notified Congress on July 30 as well.

A Javelin missile is fired

The sale also includes 50 Javelin Command Launch Units (CLU); Enhanced Producibility Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) Technical Assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office Technical Assistance; and other elements of logistical and program support.

The prime contractor for this sale would be the Raytheon Technologies [RTX]/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture.

DSCA said the Javelin missiles will help the Royal Thai Army (RTA) replace obsolete Vietnam War-era 106mm Recoilless Rifles and modernize its light anti-tank capability as well as enhance interoperability with U.S. forces. 

“The proposed sale will improve Thailand’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving Thailand’s long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the agency said.