State Dept OKs Potential $911M AH-1Z Helicopter Sale to Bahrain

The State Department has approved Bahrain™s request to buy 12 Bell Helicopter-built AH-1Z attack helicopters and related equipment and services through a potential $911.4 foreign military sales agreement.

Bell Helicopter and General Electric (NYSE: GE) will act as prime contractors in the proposed FMS deal in support of Bahrain™s efforts to deter regional threats, build up its homeland defense and facilitate interoperability with U.S. forces, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Friday.

The proposed transaction covers T-700 GE 401C engines; AGM-114 Hellfire missiles; Advance Precision Kill Weapon System II WGU-59B; Honeywell-built (NYSE: HON) embedded GPS inertial navigation system; joint mission planning systems; M197 20mm gun systems; AN/AAQ-30 target sight systems; APX-117 identification friend or foe platforms; and AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser sets.

The Middle Eastern country also requested to purchase spare and repair parts; test equipment; program assistance; training; technical support; engineering; and logistics services.

The proposed deal will require the deployment of government and contractor personnel to Bahrain for a 60-month period to provide maintenance and training support and help carry out technical and program reviews.

Three contractor representatives will also be required to stay in the country for a couple of years in support of the proposed FMS agreement.

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