US OKs $3B in military sales to Egypt, Australia, Netherlands
The US State Department has approved a potential $3.1 billion sale of heavy-lift helicopters and other military equipment to Egypt, Australia, and the Netherlands.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the potential sale would support Washington’s foreign policy by helping to improve the defense capabilities of its allies.
As part of the approved foreign military sale, Egypt will receive 23 CH-47F Chinook helicopters and 56 T-55-GA-714A engines.
The country would also take delivery of 52 global positioning system (GPS) inertial navigation systems, 29 AN/AAR-57 missile warning systems, and 75 M-240 machine guns.
The DSCA said that acquiring Chinook helicopters would improve Cairo’s heavy-lift capabilities, strengthening its homeland defense and detering regional threats.
Work for the contract will be performed at Boeing’s helicopter production facility in Philadelphia.
Sales to Australia, Netherlands
The DSCA also announced last week that the US State Department has approved requests by Australia and the Netherlands to purchase weapons, including missiles.
The government of Australia has requested High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and related equipment for an estimated cost of $385 million.
The request includes 30 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, 30 Alternative Warhead Pods with insensitive munitions propulsion systems, and 10 M57 Army Tactical Missile Systems.
“The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats, and will enhance interoperability with US forces and other allied forces,” the DSCA stated in a press release.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has been cleared to buy 72 AIM-9X Block II missiles, one AIM-9X Block II+ Tactical Guidance Unit, and other related equipment for $117 million.
The proposed sale would reportedly allow the Royal Netherlands Air Force to provide better support for the country’s air defense needs.
Amsterdam would not have difficulty absorbing the missiles into its armed forces, the DSCA said.
