The State Department approved a possible $952 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to Pakistan for 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and 1000 AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on April 6.
The primary contractors would be Bell Helicopter Textron [TXT], General Electric [GE], Boeing [BA], and Lockheed Martin [LMT].
Photo: Bell Helicopter Textron.
The requested FMS would include 15 AH-1Zs, 32 T-700 GE 401C Engines (30 installed and 2 spares), 1,000 AGM-114 R Hellfire II Missiles in containers, 36 H-1 Technical Refresh Mission computers, 17 AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight Systems, 30 629F-23 Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency Communication Systems, 19 H-764 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, 32 Helmet Mounted Display/Optimized Top Owl, 17 APX-117A Identification Friend or Foe, 17 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 17 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Sets, 18 AN/APR-39C(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers, 15 Joint Mission Planning Systems, and 17 M197 20mm Gun Systems.
The contract would also include system integration and testing, software development and integration, aircraft ferry, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools 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 logistics and program support.
Pakistan intends to use this equipment to enhance its ability to conduct operations in North Waziristan Agency, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and other remote and mountainous areas in all-weather, day-and-night environments, DSCA said.
“This proposed sale of helicopters and weapon systems will provide Pakistan with military capabilities in support of its counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations in South Asia,” DSCA said in a statement.
DSCA noted this would contribute to the national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a country vital to U.S. foreign policy and national security goals in South Asia.
Implementation of the FMS would require U.S. government and contractor representatives to take multiple trips to Pakistan to participate in program and technical reviews, training, and maintenance support for 66 months. Three contractor representatives are required to reside in Pakistan for three years to support the program.