The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for CH-47D Model Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $151 million.

The Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale of:

14 CH-47D Model Aircraft to include T55-GA-714A Engines, 2 per aircraft (14 ac x 2=28 engines) 5 T55-GA-714A Turbine to be used as spares. 16 AN/ARC-220 HF Radios 32 AN/ARC-186 VHF AM/FM Radios 16 AN/ARN 123 VOR ILS Marker Beacons 14 AN/ARN-154(V) Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) System 16 AN/ARC-201D or AN/ARC-201E VHF FM Homing Radios 16 AN/APN-209D Radar Altimeters 16 AN/ASN-43 Gyro-magnetic Compasses

Also included are mission equipment, communication and navigation equipment, ground support equipment, special tools and test equipment, spares, publications, Maintenance Work Orders/Engineering Change Proposals (MWO/ECP), technical support and training. The total estimated value for these articles and services is $151 million.

The CH-47Ds being considered for this sale are currently operated by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in the ROK. This proposed sale of CH-47D aircraft equipped with T55-GA-714A engines will be provided from U.S. Army inventory located at Camp Humphrey, South Korea. The T55-GA-714A Engines to be provided as spares will also be provided from U.S. Government inventory. If this proposed sale is approved, the aircraft will be sold and transferred to the ROK incrementally once USFK begins taking receipt of new-production CH-47F model aircraft, a process currently estimated to begin in the January 2014 timeframe. The U.S. Army will not replace the CH-47D aircraft being proposed for sale and transfer to the ROK. This proposed sale will allow the U.S. Army to avoid transportation and/or demilitarization costs in the amount of approximately $13.4 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of an ally and partner nation. The ROK continues to be an important force for peace, political stability and economic progress in North East Asia.

The proposed sale will improve the ROK’s capability to meet current and future requirements for troop movement, medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue, disaster relief, fire-fighting and heavy construction support. The ROK will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense, deter regional threats, and improve humanitarian and disaster mobilization and response. These efforts support both ROK and U.S. interests and objectives, and are consistent with strategic and regional goals. This sale is also consistent with the U.S. strategic interests for stability in the Pacific Command Area of Operations.

The ROK is capable of absorbing and maintaining this additional equipment in its inventory. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 18 U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the ROK to provide support, program management, and training for a period of up to 2 years.

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, Photo CH-47D Netherlands Air Force (archive)