The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Israel of CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters with Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the
required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Israel has requested to buy up to eighteen (18) CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters; up to sixty (60) T408-GE-400 Engines (54 installed, 6 spares); and up to thirty-six (36) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM). Also included is communication equipment; GAU-21 .50 caliber Machine Guns; Mission
Planning System; facilities study, design and construction; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; aircrew and maintenance training; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $3.4 billion.
The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.
The proposed sale will improve the Israeli Air Force’s capability to transport armored vehicles, personnel, and equipment to support distributed operations. Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin Global, Inc., Shelton, Connecticut; and General Electric Company, Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreements will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the
contractor(s).
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips by U.S. Government and contractor representatives to participate in program and technical reviews. It will also require approximately four (4) contractor support representatives to reside in country for a period of three (3) years to support this program. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
