The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Thursday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of five UH-60M BLACKHAWK VIP helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $217 million.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible sale of 5 UH-60M BLACKHAWK VIP helicopters, 12 T700-GE-701D engines (10 installed and 2 spares), 6 AN/APR-39A(V)4 Radar Signal Detecting Sets, 80 AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Devices, 6 Star Safire III Forward Looking Infrared Radar Systems, 6 AAR-57(V)3 Common Missile Warning Systems, 6 AN/AVR-2B Laser Warning Sets, C406 Electronic Locator Transmitters, Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems and Weather Radars, Aviation Mission Planning Station, government furnished equipment, ferry support, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, ground support, communications equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, tools and test equipment, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $217 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of a partner nation that, has been and continues to be an important force for peace, political stability, and economic progress in the Middle East.

The UAE will use these helicopters for intra-country transportation of UAE officials to militarily critical training and operation sites. The UH-60M BLACKHAWK helicopters will enhance the safety of key UAE personnel by providing for the detection and avoidance of rocket/missile attacks by indigenous or foreign terrorist elements. The UAE will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut, and General Electric Aircraft Company of Lynn, Massachusetts. The purchaser has requested offsets; however, at this time, agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the deployment of a minimum of two Contractor Field Service representatives to the United Arab Emirates for approximately two years after initial fielding to assist in the delivery and deployment of the helicopters.

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 and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

DSCA press release