The State Department approved a possible $650 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request to France for C-130J aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Nov. 10.
The requested FMS would include major defense equipment (MDE) of two C-130J aircraft with Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines, two KC-130J aircraft with Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines, and four Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (spares). The MDE value is estimated at $355 million.
Non-MDE equipment under the sale includes six AN/ALE 47 Electronic Countermeasure Dispensers (one per aircraft, plus two spares), six AN/AAR-47A(V)2 Missile Warning Systems (one per aircraft, plus two spares), six AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receivers (one per aircraft, plus two spares), 10 Embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation Systems (two per aircraft, plus two spares), 10 AN/ARC-210 Radios (two per aircraft, plus two spares), 10 AN/ARC-164 UHF/VF Radios (two per aircraft, plus two spares), two HF Voice Radios, 10 KY-100 Secure Voice Terminals (two per aircraft, plus two spares), and 10 KYV-5 Secure Voice Equipment Units (two per aircraft, plus two spares).
The sale also includes support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.
France requested Lockheed Martin [LMT] be the sole source provider for the aircraft.
France would use the aircraft to provide critical transport, airdrop, and resupply to thousands of French troops in support of current and future operations. “The KC-130Js will provide crucial air refueling capability to France’s fighter aircraft, light transport aircraft, and helicopters,” DSCA said in a statement.
The agency also highlighted the importance of helping a NATO ally increase its airlift, air refueling, and air drop capabilities for use in national, NATO, United Nations, and other coalition operations as well as increase interoperability between the U.S. and French air forces.
Implementation of the FMS may require multiple trips by U.S. contractor representatives to France and potentially to deployed locations to provide initial launch, recovery, and maintenance support.