Tuesday 31 October 2017

First F-35 fighter jets to arrive in Norway on Thursday

F-35 during a test flight. Photo: Kaszynzki, Lockheed Martin.

52 new fighter jets are to be delivered by 2025, the largest ever military acquisition in Norway.


October 31, 2017

The three first of the multi-role aircraft will land at Ørland Air Force Station in central Norway on November 2nd. A week later, on the day of the Royal Norway Air Force’s 73rd anniversary, the arrival will officially be celebrated.

F-35 will replace Norway’s current fleet of F-16 fighter jets. With the new planes, the Armed Forces significantly strengthens its strategic capability, not only with more aircrafts than today’s fleet, but firstly because the F-35 has better weapons, sensors and survivability.

«This helps ensure that Norway is able to present any future opponent with a credible threshold against military aggression or coercion,» the Defense Ministry says in a statement.

With the arrival of F-35, the military moves the main base from Bodø north of the Arctic Circle to Ørland Air Force Station northwest of Trondheim, more than 400 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle.

In the north, Evenes airport near Narvik will serve as a forward operating base to offer Quick Reaction Alerts for Norway’s Arctic airspace. Since 2007, Norwegian fighter jets have frequently been scrambled by NATO to identify Russian strategic bombers flying out in international airspace via the Barents Sea and further south outside the coast of northern Norway.

The 52 F-35 fighter jets made by American Locheed Martin are estimated to cost Norway 70 billion kroner (€7,37 billion). That includes weapons and support equipment.

Original post: thebarentsobserver.com

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Fourth Borei-class submarine to be floated out in November

© Vladimir Larionov/TASS
October 30, 14:23UTC+3

Three subs of this class have already been delivered to the Navy

MOSCOW, October 30. /TASS/.  The first advanced version of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Project 955A Borei-class (North Wind) - the Knyaz Vladimir (Prince Vladimir) - will be floated out this coming November, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolev, said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.

"In the near future, the Severodvinsk-based Sevmash Shipyard will float out a new nuclear powered missile underwater cruiser, the Knyaz Vladimir, from the slipway. The event will take place in November," he said.

Korolev earlier said that the fourth Borei-class boomer was supposed to have been floated out in August.

The Knyaz Vladimir was laid down in 2012 and will become the fourth submarine in the series of eight Borei-class underwater cruisers and the first submarine of the advanced Borei-A Project.

Three subs of this class have already been delivered to the Navy. In 2014, two submarines - the Knyaz Oleg (Prince Oleg) and the Generalissimus Suvorov - were laid down. In 2015, the submarine Emperor Alexander III was laid down and in 2016 the keel of the submarine Knyaz Pozharsky (Prince Pozharsky) was laid. Each of these submarines carry 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Deputy head of the Russian Navy, Viktor Bursuk, said earlier that the Knyaz Vladimir underwater cruiser is to be delivered to the fleet in 2018.

Original post: tass.com

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Borei-class: Details

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Claim They Have Shot Down A Saudi Eurofighter Typhoon Over Yemen


Oct 28 2017


Yemeni media outlets are reporting that a Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoon was shot down over Yemen yesterday. However no pictures have been released to back Houthi rebels claims, so far.

According to several still unconfirmed media reports, a RSAF Typhoon fighter was shot down by Yemen’s Shia Houthi rebels on Oct. 27. The fate of the pilot is unknown at the time of writing. No images of the wreckage or any other kind of evidence have been released so far.

“Yemen’s air defense unit told the country’s Arabic-language al-Masirah television network that the aircraft had been targeted with a surface-to-air missile as it was flying in the skies over Nihm district east of the Yemeni capital city of Sana’a on Friday evening,” Yemen Press reported………Read rest of article: HERE

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Malaysian military to acquire patrol aircraft, howitzers after budget increase

Defense News previously reported that Malaysia requested from Japan its Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion aircraft. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua E. Walters/U.S. Navy)
By: Mike Yeo  

MELBOURNE, Australia ― Malaysia’s military has been given the go-ahead with the acquisition of maritime patrol aircraft and self-propelled howitzers, as the country increases its defense spending slightly following drastic reductions.

Speaking to media on Oct. 28, the day after the release of the country’s fiscal 2018 budget, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed that the Royal Malaysian Air Force has been given government approval to acquire four maritime patrol aircraft along with an unspecified number of 155mm self-propelled howitzers for the Army.

The amount of funding allocated for both programs has not been disclosed in the budget documents or the minister’s remarks……Read rest of article: HERE

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Monday 30 October 2017

Italian new generation assault helicopter AH-249 (ANALYSIS)


PUBLISHED: FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2017, 16:58

Juliusz Sabak

At the Combat Helicopters 2017 conference in Cracow, a representative of the Italian armed forces presented the concept of development of the AH-249A helicopter, which is expected to start replacing the AH-129D (AW129) Mangusta. The machine is developed by Leonardo Helicopters. In the new design, the AW149 propulsion system, which was offered in Poland in the multi-tasking helicopter program based on a common platform, will be used to accelerate the work. 

Lieutenant Colonel Claudio Orioles, Head of the Italian Army Aviation Logistics, presented the concept of the AH-249A escort and impact helicopter at the Combat Helicopters conference in Cracow. These engines will replace the currently used AH-129D Mangusta helicopters, which are the latest variant of the rotors. The first A129 serial model (since 2012 marked AH-129A) entered the armament of the Italian Army in 1990.

Leonardo Helicopters signed a research and development agreement with the National Armaments Directorate (NAD) in January 2017, prototype testing and the production of three pre-launch helicopters called NESS (New Exploration and Escort Helicopter). Last year, the Italian parliament's defense commission approved € 487 million in funding for a program to build a new combat helicopter for the armed forces.

To accelerate the development of the AH-249A to service from around 2020, the Leonardo Helicopters has decided to use the existing AW149 multi-purpose helicopter propulsion system and the AW129 modernization system. This is in line with the current trend of unification, launched by the Bell Helicopteres AH / UH-1 family (the so-called "H-1 family", which currently holds 85% of the common shares in the current AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom). A similar road, although it can be said that in the opposite direction than Italy, went to Turkey, because T-129 ATAK propulsion system was based T-635 multi-tasking helicopter.

The helicopter mass has been planned for over 7 tons, which puts the Italian design between a slightly lighter helicopter Airbus Helicopters Tiger with a maximum weight of about 6 tons and a slightly heavier Viper (class 8 tons). It will not compete with heavy tank destroyers like the AH-64E Apache, Mi-28 or Ka-52. The main purpose of AW-249 is to carry out escort and reconnaissance missions and fire support to land forces.

Faster, longer, more

Presented at the Cracow conference, the concept of the AH-249 helicopter development assumes much higher performance compared to the AH-129D. It is planned to increase the airborne time from 2 to 3 hours, cruising speed from 115 to 140 knots (from 213 to 259 km / h) and a ceiling of 15 thousand. up to 20 thousand Stop. The armament of the armament is to increase from 820 kg to not less than 1800 kg. Due to these requirements the launch mass of the new helicopter is expected to be much higher than for the AH-129D, which is less than 5 tonnes. The AH-249 is expected to weigh 7-8 tonnes with much greater dynamics and range of flight characteristics.

Comparison of the performance of CH-47, NH90 and AH-129 with its future successor NESS (AH-249). It is clear how the Mangusta departs from newer machines in terms of flight duration (red color) and speed (green color). Graphics: Aviazione Dell 'Esercito

Performance requirements result from the fact that the AH-129D is fully armed, much slower and can remain in the air shorter than the Italian army's multi-tasking and transport helicopters. This applies especially to NH90 and CH-47F Chinook machines. This situation makes it impossible to de facto effectively carry out the basic tasks of escort and helicopter support and reconnaissance. The AH-129D is not capable of interacting with these machines effectively as long as they operate at maximum cruising speed, and as you know, speed is one of the basic strengths of aeromobile formation.

However, the requirements of the Italian forces do not affect the performance alone. Much emphasis was placed on the machine's resistance to extreme conditions. The range of permissible temperatures has changed to a lower limit of -35 to -40 degrees Celsius, while the upper limit is still +50 degrees. Due to the lowering of the temperature, the possibility of action in case of slight icing is required. There is also a need to increase the protection of key components and ensure proper operation in high dust (sand, dust) and snow conditions and protection against seawater (salt environment).

More to see, not to be seen

The Italian army defined not only higher demands on performance and operating conditions, but also broadened the needs of the contemporary battlefield. The new reconnaissance and escort helicopter (defined as its task) is to have a wide range of opportunities for information gathering and exchange, as well as modern security solutions as well as effective detection and identification of hazards.

Among the desirable characteristics are, among others. Reduction of the AH-249 signature in the range of different detection means. The machine will have integrated exhaust gas temperature reduction systems (IR signature) and radar signature design and coating. The helicopter is also intended to be equipped with active jamming and self-defense systems and sensors enabling, for example, automatic determination of the direction from which the helicopter is being driven. Another issue is to protect the AH-249 against the effects of electronic combat and even hacking attempts.

In terms of data exchange, the new machine is expected to be able to offer broadband communications using Link16 and other standards. The machine is designed to use radio stations digitally encoded at different frequencies but also to connect to cellular networks. This provides the ability to transmit audio, video and data through fully encrypted communication channels. The AH-249 will also have the ability to interact with various types of unmanned aerial vehicles, both in terms of data exchange and drones management. Interestingly, among the mentioned bsl were the Predator, Reaper, Shadow 200 and Falco aircraft, but also the AW Hero unmanned helicopters and the "Polish" SW-4 Solo RUAS / OPH manufactured by PZL Świdnik.

Front part of the hull AH-249. You can see the placement of the 20 mm parcel and the optoelectronic head and the cab layout with a single touch screen. Fig. Dell's Esercito

With regard to flight safety and situational awareness, pilots are to be provided with a wide range of modern solutions that are designed not only to effectively target and accomplish tasks, but also to enhance ergonomics and safety. In addition to navigation systems and safety systems such as VOR-ILS, DME, TACAN, Doppler radar and radar altimeter and GPS / INS navigation, the machine is to have a data processing and integration system. They will be depicted on the main, widescreen multifunctional touch screen that occupies the place of the classic dashboard, HUD display and flicker displays. This applies, for example, to the application of so-called "extended reality", ie overlapping data from different sensors to increase awareness of the battlefield. This can, for example, Apply the image of the imager and the aiming system to what the pilot sees through the night vision or the waist screen. This is to enable the AH-249 to operate in all weather conditions at low altitudes, which is a key capability for this type of machine.

Increased firepower, fewer casualties

As far as combat capability is concerned, the AH-249 has, as shown above, a broad range of possibilities for acquiring information about potential targets. Arming and targeting systems are designed not only to combat air and ground targets, including tanks and armored vehicles, but also to provide high precision and wide range of armament. This is to limit the so-called "casualties" in case of actions such as in urban areas or asymmetric operations.

The AH-129D helicopter will be borrowed from the turret and armed with a 20 mm three-barrel gun. Instead, the ammunition supply system will be modified and its supply increased. Unfortunately, the Mangusta helicopter has also been repaired, which is a parcel installation just below the optoelectronic head, which is also located at the bow, in front of the cockpit. As a result of this vibration when shooting from a 20 mm parcel they are transferred to the head, which negatively affects both the effectiveness and the viability of these systems.

Comparison of AH-129D and AH-249 (NESS). Fig. Dell's Esercito

In addition to the AH-249, it is to be armed with a wide range of guided missiles and non-guided missiles, including anti-tank missiles and air-to-air missiles. The total weight of the armored gear is over 1800 kg, which is more than double that of the AH-129D. There are no specific types of rockets, but about 70mm guided missiles and non-guided missiles, laser-guided missiles and ground-to-air missiles to combat heavily defended targets beyond the opponent's field of vision.

The presentation of the Spike family (including the Spike NLOS) appeared in Krakow, which coincides with the current activities of the Italian forces, which integrated Spike missiles on the AH-129D helicopters. These machines can also carry the US TOW-2 and Hellfire missiles, which will be armed in the future with the AH-249, but are expected to be replaced by newer generations. At the ends of the wings, the new engine received additional air-to-air missiles. This means that by transferring 8 anti-tank missiles and two 70 mm rocket launchers, the AH-249 will be able to carry 2 short range missiles or 4 very short range missiles.

NESS is more than a magnifying manga

In terms of new wing construction, the Leonardo Helicopters decided to go the proven route, de facto enlarging the AW129 (AH-129) with the gun and the optoelectronic head in the bow, the tandem cockpit and the long narrow hull. On the sides of the hull will appear long sponsors, hosting, among others. larger fuel tanks, sensors and avionics.

The drive system is designed to provide much more power, both in the drive range and power sources for onboard installations, which will provide higher power APUs. If information about the use of engines and power transmission from the AW149 helicopter with a mass of 8.6 tonnes will be confirmed, the five-blade rotor and four-blade tail rotor will drive two US-based GE CT7-2E1 engines of 1490 kW (2000 hp) each. They will be equipped with an integrated exhaust gas dispersion system.

Helicopter AH-249. Fig. Dell's Esercito

The concept of the new machine is not particularly revolutionary, but the aim is to rapidly develop and introduce this machine. This is due to the depletion of the AH-129 upgrade capabilities and unsatisfactory performance, especially under very high or low temperatures and high altitudes. That is why the Italian army wants to have a prototype of a new machine by 2020 and five years later to introduce the first series to operational service.

It is worth comparing with the time it was needed to develop from the base helicopters such as Tiger or even AW129. A good example of this is the development of the AH-1J Cobra twin-engined helicopter, which was developed for the US Marines to increase the lifting capacity and safety of the single-engine version used by the Army.

It should be noted, however, that the very classic AH-249 aerodynamic system is being developed at a time when, at the same Combat Helicopters conference in Cracow, the single helicopter system had exhausted its development capabilities. The AW-249 will soon be decoded by the floating engine (like the V-280) or hybrid coaxial (like the SB-1 Defiant or S-97 Rider).

The key in the NESS (New Exploration and Escort Helicopter) program, which will result in the AH-249, is not so much the increase in lifting capacity and performance, but above all the creation of a modern machine capable of operating in digital C4 network systems and collaboration with machines such as unmanned. In this respect, this helicopter has the potential to be a completely new quality in the Italian armed forces. Time will tell whether it is an evolutionary change that provides the Italian with sufficient opportunities to carry out planned activities in the contemporary battlefield.

Translated by Google – Original post: defence24.pl

AH-249 in greater detail

Source: mswierczynski
2 x GE CT7-2E1 engines


Italian MoD orders five M-345 trainer aircraft: Here

Excerpt

Leonardo has received two new contracts from the Italian MoD National Armaments Directorate, with an aggregate value of €500 million: one for an initial batch of five M-345 trainer aircraft, the second for the first development phase of the new exploration and escort helicopter (NEES) for the Italian Army.

The M-345 will supplement the fleet of 18 M-346 already in Italian Air Force service for advanced pilot training. The service has a requirement for about 45 of the new aircraft in total, (designated T-345) to replace the fleet of 137 MB-338 delivered from 1982. The first delivery is expected by 2019.

The multi-year contract for the new NEES covers the study, development, industrialisation, production and testing of a prototype and three initial production aircraft. Through this new programme, based on a total requirement for 48 units, the Italian Army will be able to replace the current fleet of AW129 which are expected to be retired from service by 2025 following over 35 years in operations. NEES will benefit from the long operational expertise the army has gained with the AW129 and will allow the service to introduce an even more technologically advanced product, with greater performance and lower operating costs, to meet emerging needs in evolving scenarios for the next 30 years.

M-345 Basic-Advanced Jet Trainer: Details

AW149: Details

AW129: Details

HAL's Sukhoi Engine Division hands over 50th AL31FP engine to IAF

Su-30MKI – Image: aame.in
BENGALURU, OCT 24:  The 50th AL31FP engine manufactured from the raw material stage by the Sukhoi Engine Division of HAL (Koraput) has been handed over to the IAF in Delhi as part of the 70th year celebrations of the India Russia diplomatic relationship.

“The AL31FP engine powers the Su30 MKI and has been manufactured from the raw material stage by HAL. All the components, including heavy forgings, are manufactured at HAL,” said T Suvarna Raju, CMD.

He handed over documents related to the 50th Raw Material Phase Engine of the Su-30MKI to Air Marshal S.B. Deo, VCAS.

On the occasion, a coffee table book to commemorate 70 years of co-operation between HAL and Russian companies was also released by A. K. Gupta, Secretary (DP).

Speaking on the occasion Gupta said India has received whole-hearted support for the Russian platforms and such support was important for strengthening bilateral ties.

(This article was published on October 24, 2017)

Original post: thehindubusinessline.com

Su-30MKI: Details

Sunday 29 October 2017

Can Trump reverse Thailand’s drift towards China?

Cobra Gold – Image: From the net

Under the doctrine of “America First,” the Thai military regime has enjoyed warming relations with the United States. However, economic and development opportunities with China have pulled Thailand into China’s orbit. Does the U.S. have the chance to increase its engagement in Thailand – or will China emerge as the preeminent economic and security guarantor in Southeast Asia?

Following the Thai military coup in 2014, the United States withdrew support its support for the new military regime. The U.S. canceled a series of visits, downgraded its level of engagement and suspended military assistance to this country. Joint military exercises proceeded as planned, but on a smaller scale and under restricted conditions. Since 2013, U.S. participation in the exercises has dropped to an annual commitment of 3,600 troops, down from 9,500.

The U.S.-Thailand alliance boost

However, by emphasising “America First,” the Trump administration has shifted U.S. foreign policy priorities to emphasize American trade and strategic interests over democracy and human rights. The U.S.-Thailand relationship has gradually thawed, and both countries are resuming strategic dialogues and military interactions. In February, the U.S. Pacific Command chief Admiral Harry Harris attended this year’s Cobra Gold joint military exercise, while in August, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the sale of Harpoon Block II Missiles to Thailand.

In a joint statement between Thailand and the U.S. made at the recent Trump-Prayut White House summit in early October, both sides committed to further defense cooperation. The statement emphasizes in particular the larger role Thailand is expected to play in resolving tension on the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea. In the economic realm, the U.S. anticipates an increase in Thai imports of U.S. goods and investment in the United States to underpin an expansion of trade ties with Bangkok and create more U.S. jobs. For Prayut’s regime, these renewed commitments can help the developing Thai economy and bolster the legitimacy of the military regime. Thailand urges more U.S. businesses to invest in Thailand and the Eastern Economic Corridor initiatives to support its Eastern Seaboard growth.

Bangkok’s shift toward Beijing

Washington’s criticism of the 2014 coup, its reduction in military assistance to Bangkok, and its decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership have all pushed Thailand closer to China economically and strategically.

The Chinese economic footprint in Thailand has rapidly expanded in the last ten years. From 2006 to 2016, Chinese foreign direct investment in Thailand increased from 1 to 15%, supplanting the U.S. as one of Thailand’s top economic partners. In addition, Thailand has become an important consumer of Chinese arms and military equipment. For instance, Thailand signed an order for 28 VT-4 battle tanks and approved a bill to buy a Chinese submarine.

Because of its pivotal position, Thailand plays an important role in China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative. Economic engagement with China promises several development opportunities, including the construction of the Kra Isthmus Canal and a high-speed rail line. For China, a canal in Kra Isthmus connecting the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea would create an alternative to transit through the Strait of Malacca. Currently, nearly one-third of global trade and one-third of all oil and natural gas pass through the Strait—a critical vulnerability in China’s energy supply chain. The Sino-Thai high-speed rail line would create an invaluable land route linking China’s Yunnan province to the canal, Singapore, and the Strait of Malacca. The two projects would strengthen Thailand’s role as the transport hub in the region, boost its economic growth, and contribute to the Eastern Economic Corridor project.

Challenges and opportunities

The foundations laid by the Trump-Prayut summit present an opportunity for both sides to benefit and expand. For the Trump administration, it could provide precisely the reversal the U.S. needs for its strained alliances in Southeast Asia. The Thai government under Prayut could use this opportunity to address key economic and security concerns and recalibrate Thai foreign policy to more carefully balance its interests between China and the United States. Trump’s upcoming attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and the East Asia Summit in November will be a valuable opportunity for U.S. to lay out its approach toward Thailand and Southeast Asia, as many have perceived the summits as a litmus test of U.S. engagement.

Even though some improvements have been made in repairing the relationship between these two countries, other strategic challenges will take longer to resolve. The United States remains concerned over Thailand’s close relationship with China and Thailand must navigate the many uncertainties surrounding the Trump administration’s policy in Asia. Although Bangkok has thus far remained neutral in regional competition between China and the United States, conflict in the region could disrupt this delicate balance. Because Thailand is neither a claimant in the South China Sea disputes nor taken a strong stand against China’s growing military presence in the region, where it falls in the balance between the United States’ and China’s regional influence will depend on how each side nurtures opportunities like the Trump-Prayut summit.

Original post: globalriskinsights.com

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Thailand and the United Kingdom will launch a joint military exercise codenamed "Panther Gold 2017"


UK to join military exercise

29 Oct 2017 at 07:00

WRITER: WASSANA NANUAM

The armies of Thailand and the United Kingdom will launch a joint military exercise, codenamed "Panther Gold 2017", in Kanchanaburi on Tuesday.

According to Thai military sources, the drill was proposed by the UK armed forces to its Thai counterpart, and approved by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, giving the Royal Thai Armed Forces the go-ahead for the exercise.

The sources said Thai infantry troops were accordingly assigned to take part in the drill.

The Royal Thai Army has instructed the First Army Area to deploy forces in the 9th Infantry Division to join the exercise, which will be conducted every two years now….Read rest of article: HERE

The UK Army will deploy 120 troops from the Light Role Infantry Company, the 1st Battalion Irish Guard, to take part in the drill.

Thai forces will send 300 troops to take part in the drill, 220 of which are from the 9th Infantry Division, including 120 rifle company soldiers.

Gripen E goes supersonic


27 October 2017

Defence and security company Saab announces that the Gripen E smart fighter flew supersonic for the first time. The aircraft broke the sound barrier over the Baltic Sea on the 18th October.

The Gripen E smart fighter flew at speeds greater than the speed of sound, at over Mach 1, as part of the ongoing flight trials programme. The purpose was to collect data from the aircraft as it achieved and sustained supersonic speed. The flight took place over the Baltic sea and the aircraft sustained supersonic speed for a number of minutes, whilst carrying out maneouvres, demonstrating the successful combination of the aicraft’s fighter design and its powerful engine. 

“As Gripen pilots we are used to extreme speed but to go through the sound barrier for an aircraft’s first time is still a moment to enjoy. It is important that the aircraft handles the transition smoothly through what we call the transonic zone around the sound barrier and she certainly did, it was very smooth,” said Marcus Wandt, Test Pilot, Saab.

Welcoming the news, Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and head of business area Aeronautics said, “Individual milestones such as this supersonic flight demonstrate the thoroughness of our engineering approach and the validty of the modelling. It is further evidence that the Gripen E flight test programme is going extremely well, whilst the delivery schedule to our two customers remains our key focus.”

This milestone has been preceeded by over 20 flying hours since the first flight back on 15 June 2017.

Check out our interview with the test pilot Robin Nordlander on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UXPgrFiSU0&feature=youtu.be

For further information, please contact:
Saab Press Centre,
+46 (0)734 180 018
presscentre@saabgroup.com

Source: saabgroup.com


Saab Gripen E/F: Details

Saturday 28 October 2017

The State Department has approved a possible FMS to the Czech Republic for UH-1Y utility helicopters

Image: From the net
Media/Public Contact:
pm-cpa@state.gov
Transmittal No: 17-47

WASHINGTON, Oct 23, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Czech Republic for UH-1Y utility helicopters.  The estimated cost is $575 million.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 11, 2017.

The Government of the Czech Republic has requested the possible sale of twelve (12) UH-1Y utility helicopters, twenty-five (25) T-700 GE 401C engines (twenty-four (24) installed, one (1) spare), thirteen (13) Honeywell Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) (twelve (12) installed, one (1) spare), and twelve (12) 7.62mm M240 Machine Guns.  This request also includes Brite Star II FLIR system, Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) (includes the AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning and Laser Detection System, AN/ALE-47 Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS) and the AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)), Joint Mission Planning Systems, Helmet Mounted Displays, communication equipment, small caliber gun systems including GAU-17A and GAU-21, electronic warfare systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 4/5 transponder, support equipment, spare engine containers, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.  The estimated cost is $575 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO partner that is an important force for ensuring peace and stability in Europe.  The proposed sale will support the Czech Republic’s needs for its own self-defense and support NATO defense goals.

The Czech Republic intends to use these helicopters to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats.  This will contribute to the Czech Republic’s military goal of updating its capabilities while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other NATO allies.  The Czech Republic will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

This proposed sale of equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, Fort Worth, Texas; and General Electric Company, Lynn, Massachusetts.  There are no known offset agreements proposed in conjunction with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips by U.S. Government and contractor representatives to participate in program and technical reviews plus training and maintenance support in country, on a temporary basis, for a period of twenty-four (24) months.  It will also require three (3) Contractor Engineering Technical Service (CETS) representatives to reside in country for a period of two (2) years to support this program.

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.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

Source: dsca.mil

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Bell’s UH-1Y: Details