The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands for CH-47F Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.05 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 19, 2015.

The Government of the Netherlands has requested a possible sale of 17 CH-47F Cargo Helicopters with customer unique post-modifications, 46 T55-GA-714A Aircraft Turbine Engines with Hydro-Mechanical Assembly (34 installed and 12 spares), 41 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs), 54 AN/ARC-231 Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency Radios, 21 AN/ARC-220 High Frequency Radios, 21 AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe Transponders, and 41 AN/ARC-201D Very High Frequency Radios. Also included are spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools and test equipment, aircraft ferry and refueling support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. government and contractor technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $1.05 billion.

The Netherlands is one of the major political and economic powers in Europe and NATO and an ally of the United States in the pursuit of peace and stability. It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist the Netherlands to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale of CH-47F aircraft will improve the Netherlands’ 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 Netherlands will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense, deter regional threats, and provide direct support to coalition and security cooperation efforts. The CH-47F aircraft will supplement and eventually replace the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s aging fleet of CH-47 helicopters. The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing this aircraft into its armed forces.

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

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

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to the Netherlands.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness or acquisition timelines 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: M. van Leeuwen Z.A.P.P.