U.S. State Department Recommends Approval Of Mid-Life Upgrade Components

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Belgium to upgrade its F-16A/B Block 15 Aircraft Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $113 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 8, 2014.

The Government of Belgium has requested a possible sale to upgrade its F-16A/B Block 15 Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) aircraft with Operational Flight Program (OFP) tapes S1, M5 and M6. Upgrade includes: 69 LN-260 Embedded Global Positioning System-Inertial Navigation Systems (GPS-INS), 8 Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receivers IV (ROVER IV), 62 AN/APX-125 Transceivers (AN/APX-125 Air Identification Friend of Foe Radios), 32 KIV-78s, 1 Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), 4 BRU-61/A Carriage Systems, and 43 AN/ARC-210(V) RT-1990(C) Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency (UHF/VHF) Receiver Transmitters. Also included are spare and repair parts, support equipment, repair and return services, software development/ integration, test and equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor technical services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $113 million.

The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally. The proposed sale of equipment and support for Belgium’s F-16s will support its self-defense needs and enhance the interoperability of these aircraft with those of the United States and other NATO nations.

The proposed sale will support the Belgian Air Force’s (BAF) efforts to equip, upgrade, and utilize its F-16A/B MLU aircraft. The BAF will have no difficulty integrating these upgraded platforms into its armed forces, and will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Orlando, Florida. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.state.gov