The State Department has approved a potential $495 million foreign military sale of Sikorsky Aircraft‘s UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters, General Electric‘s T700-GE-701D engines and associated parts, equipment and services to Saudi Arabia.The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Wednesday Saudi Arabia’s order for major defense equipment includes nine Black Hawks, 21 GE engines, 20 embedded GPS/INS systems, 12 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems and 20 M240H 7.62 mm machine guns.
DSCA noted that the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command will use the helicopters for combat, counterterrorism, search-and-rescue and humanitarian support operations.
The proposed sale also covers non-MDEs such as aircraft survivability equipment, electro-optical/infrared systems, internal auxiliary fuel tank systems, ballistic armor protection systems, air worthiness support, aircraft warranty and communications equipment.
Services include personnel training, repair and return, documentation, logistics and program support.
According to DSCA, the proposed sale is in line with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.
