State Dept Approves $310M Deal For F-16 Support

The U.S. State Department has given initial approval for the sale to Ukraine of $310.5 million worth of equipment and training support for F-16 fighter jets in a deal that will also promote improved cooperation with the U.S. Air Force.

The deal is pending final authorization by Congress and would also enhance the ability of Ukraine to meet threats by ensuring its pilots are well-trained.

The sale includes upgrades to aircraft, software, training of pilots and maintenance personnel, and logistics support. The agreement follows a recently-signed deal giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s extensive quantities of minerals and natural resources.

Principal contractors in the arrangement will be Valiant Integrated Services of Herndon, Virginia; Top Aces Corporation in Mesa, Arizona; Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas; Pratt & Whitney, of East Hartford, Connecticut; Snap-on Inc., in Kenosha, Wisconsin, BAE Systems of Falls Church, Virginia; AAR Corporation located in Wood Dale, Illinois; and Comsetra of Grove, Oklahoma.

In a statement, the State Department said, “The proposed sale will improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring its pilots are effectively trained and by increasing its interoperability with the United States through comprehensive training with the U.S. Air Force. This proposed sale aligns with international coalition contributions for the establishment of Ukraine’s F-16 program and the overall modernization of Ukraine’s air force. Ukraine will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”

FMI: www.dsca.mil/