Possible Sale Reported To Congress By State Department

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for Huey II rotary wing aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $180 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on September 17, 2014.

The Government of Lebanon has requested a possible sale of 18 Huey II rotary wing aircraft, spare and repair parts, maintenance, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, repair and return, aircraft preparation for shipment, ferry and refueling support, component improvement program, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $180 million.

This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by providing Lebanon with mobility capabilities needed to maintain internal security, enforce United Nation’s Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, and counter terrorist threats.

The proposed sale of these aircraft will enable Lebanon to meet present and future challenges posed by internal and border security threats, evacuations, search and rescue, and drug interdiction operations. The Huey II will augment Lebanon's recently-purchased Huey II aircraft, help replace its aging fleet of UH-1H aircraft and provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with mission-capable assets. Lebanon will have no difficulty absorbing these additional aircraft into its armed forces.

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

The prime contractor will be Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Lebanon involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives over a period of up to three years to provide program support and training.

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.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.dsca.mil