WASHINGTON, June 15, 2009 – On June 12, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Chile of radars, howitzers, vehicles, weapons, ammunition and related support for an estimated cost of $275 million.

The Government of Chile has requested a possible sale of 2 AN/TPQ-37(V)3 FIREFINDER Radars, 2 M1165A1 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), 12 M109A5 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers, 12 M109A3 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers, 18 M113A2 Armored Personnel Carriers; 6 M577A2 Command Post Carriers, 24 M548A1 Tracked Logistics Vehicles, 12 M2 .50 cal Machine Guns, 1968 M107 155mm Projectiles, and 896 M549 155mm Projectiles. Also included: 2 AN/TMQ-41 Meteorological Measuring Sets (MMS), 2 M1152 HMMWVs, 28 Camouflage Systems, 4 5-ton trucks, 12 MK19 40mm Grenade Launchers, ammunition, fuses, artillery trainers, 2 mechanical and ordnance tool kits, generators, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $275 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in South America.

Chile intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces. The Chileans intend to establish a new battalion to integrate this equipment into their armed forces. This will contribute to the Chilean military’s goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Chile, the U.S., and other allies.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors involved in this program are: BAE Systems in York, Pennsylvania, L3 Communications in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Smiths Detection, Inc. in Edgewood, Maryland, and Thales Raytheon Systems Company, LLC in Fullerton, California. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require 10 U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Chile for a period of 4 weeks for equipment checkout and training.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Source: DSCA