Australia could spend as much as $560 million to buy seven Chinook helicopters, produced by Boeing [BA], and related equipment, if Congress approves the Foreign Military Sale.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) April 13 notified Congress of the potential sale.
The prime contractors would be Boeing, Rockwell Collins [COL], and ITT [ITT].
Australia requests the possible sale of seven CH-47F Chinook Helicopters, the newest model with 14 T55-GA-714A turbine engines, two per aircraft. The request also includes seven M134D Dillon Aero Miniguns, 16 AN/ARC-201D single channel ground and airborne radios (SINCGARS), seven Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below Blue Force Trackers (FBCB2/BFT), two spare T-55-GA-714A turbine engines, mission equipment, communication and navigation equipment, ground support equipment, spare and repair parts, special tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support.
Australia is an important ally in the Western Pacific, DSCA said. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia’s efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan have had a significant impact on regional political and economic stability and have served U.S. national security interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.
The proposed sale of the CH-47F CHINOOK helicopters and components to Australia will contribute to U.S. security objectives by providing a coalition partner with significantly improved airlift capability.
The sale would improve the Royal Australian Army’s ability to participate in coalition operations, enhance the capacity of Australia’s Defense Forces to provide lift for ground forces and supplies in support of humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, and to contribute to stability operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces, DSCA said.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of the proposed sale would require the assignment of two contractor representatives to Australia for approximately three years to support delivery of the CH-47F helicopters in-country. Also, approximately six U.S. government personnel will participate in program management and/or technical reviews in-country for one to two-week intervals annually.