The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of CH-47F Chinook Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on 26 May 2022.
The Government of Egypt has requested to buy twenty-three (23) CH-47F Chinook helicopters; fifty-six (56) T-55-GA-714A engines (46 installed, 10 spares); fifty-two (52) Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) (EGI) (46 installed, 6 spares); twenty-nine (29) AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (23 installed, 6 spares); and seventy-five (75) M-240 machine guns (69 installed, 6 spares). Also included is Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) classified software; AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR); AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets (LDS); High Frequency (HF) radios; Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) (including 25.4mm decoy cartridges, impulse cartridges for cable cutters and aircraft cartridges); AN/ARN-147 Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni Directional Radio Range/Instrument Landing System (VOR/ILS) receivers; AN/ARN-153 Tactical Airborne Navigation System (TACAN) radios; AN/APN-209 radar altimeters, AN/AVS-6 Night Vision Devices (NVD); 7.62mm ammunition; items and services to support the mission equipment; hardware and services required to implement additional aircraft options such as: rescue hoists; external cargo slings and nets; Bambi fire buckets; Fast Rope Insertion Extraction Systems (FRIES); Cargo On/Off Loading Systems (COOLS); Extended Range Fuel Systems (ERFS); upgrade to the maintenance hangar and additional parking pads; special tools and test equipment; ground support equipment; airframe and engine spare parts; technical data; publications; Maintenance Work Orders/Engineering Change Proposals (MWO/ECPs); technical assistance; transportation; training; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $2.6 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s heavy lift capability. Egypt will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Boeing Helicopter Company, Philadelphia, PA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of seven (7) U.S. Government and six (6) contractor representatives to Egypt to support delivery of the CH-47 Chinook aircraft and to provide support and equipment familiarization. Two (2) contractors would be deployed to Egypt for approximately two (2) years plus options for additional years for follow-on support of equipment and five (5) military personnel (Technical Assistance Field Team/TAFT) would be deployed to Egypt for approximately two (2) years.
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. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA); File Photo: Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook Helicopter