State Dept OKs $126M Philippine Request for Assault Boats, Weapon Systems

The State Department has approved a potential $126M foreign military sale of armed assault vessels, ancillary equipment and contractor support services to the Philippines.

The possible FMS transaction includes 36 scout boats, 36 assault boats, 18 light support boats, 156 M240B machine guns and other equipment such as forward-looking infrared, thermal imaging and RF-7850 radio systems, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Thursday.

DSCA added the Philippine government asked to buy spare engines and subsystems, safety and rescue equipment, technical services and other forms of support like training, logistics, engineering and program management assistance.

Anaheim, Calif.-based vessel manufacturer Willard Marine will be the principal contractor for scout and assault boats. A competitive acquisition process will take place to determine the provider of light support boats.

According to the agency, the proposed FMS deal is meant to drive U.S. efforts to support Philippine military operation and control of waterways in the latter country’s southern region.

The agreement calls for a five-year deployment of one contractor representative to provide logistical and maintenance support services.

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