Home Air US approves over $7bn in weapons sales in single day

US approves over $7bn in weapons sales in single day

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft
US Navy file photo of an E-2D aircraft

The US State Department approved potential foreign military sales to five countries totaling $7,5 billion, should the sales materialize.

The sales would include E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft, MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, infantry carrier vehicles (ICV), UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, and fuel.

The state department’s approval does not mean a contract has been signed or a sale will be made while values and quantities of the announced potential sales are subject to change.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which sent notifications on the potential sales to Congress on July 6, Israel’s acquisition of 990 million gallons of Petroleum-based products for an estimated cost of $3 billion is the most expensive single sale announced on Monday. Argentina’s potential purchase of infantry carrier vehicles is the least expensive of the five, totaling an estimated $100 million.

Argentina requests 27 M1126 Strykers

According to DSCA, Argentina is looking to buy 27 M1126 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $100 million.

In addition to the vehicles, the purchase would include 27 M2 Flex machine guns, M6 smoke grenade launchers and other radio and intercom systems.

DSCA said Argentina intends to use the Stryker vehicles to conduct stability operations in support of disaster relief and international peace keeping obligations. The prime contractor will be General Dynamics Land Systems, Anniston, AL.

France buying additional three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft

The French government has received the necessary approval to buy three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2 billion. The country flies the tactical airborne early warning aircraft from its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle as the only country in the world to do so, besides the US.

The French Navy already operates three E-2Cs but the country’s defense minister announced late last year that France would buy another three E-2Ds by 2020.

The $2 billion deal is for the aircraft, as well as T-56-427A engines, AN/APY-9 radar assemblies, electronic support measure systems, Link-16, embedded GPS/INS, and identification, friend or foe systems.

“The proposed sale will improve France’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing its Naval Air Forces with a sustainable follow on capability to their current, legacy E-2C Hawkeye aircraft,” DSCA said.

Northrop Grumman would be the main contractor.

MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft for Indonesia

Under a potential deal that would be worth an estimated $2 billion, the State Department cleared the sale of eight MV-22 Block C Osprey aircraft to Indonesia.

The sale would also include AE 1107C Rolls Royce engines, forward looking infrared radars, missile warning systems, countermeasure dispenser systems, and IFF systems among others. Indonesia would also buy M-240-D 7.64mm and GAU-21 machine guns.

Indonesa is buying the Ospreys to boost its humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations, according to the DSCA. The prime contractors would be Bell Textron and Boeing.

US Marine Corps file photo of Ospreys in flight

Lithuania requests UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters

The Lithuanian government has requested to buy six UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $380 million. The Baltic state wants to modernize and expand its armed forces to provide multi-mission support in its region and combat terrorism threats.

In addition to the helicopters, Lithuania would buy missile warning and IFF systems, night vision goggles and improved heads up displays (IHUD), among others.

“The proposed sale of these UH-60 helicopters to Lithuania will significantly increase its capability to provide troop lift, border security, anti-terrorist, medical evacuation, search and rescue, re-supply/external lift, combat support in all weather,” DSCA said in an announcement.

The main contractors would be Sikorsky and General Electric.