Tunisia requests UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
A US Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Tunisia has moved a step closer with the US State Department approving the sale at an estimated cost of $700 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified US Congress of the possible sale on 23 July.
Tunisia has requested the UH-60M helicopters as part of plans to boost its capability to deter regional threats and strengthen its homeland defence, as well as support counter-terrorism operations. The UH-60 helicopters will enhance the country’s ability to provide border patrol, rapid reaction, and field expedient medical evacuation for its air and ground forces in counter-terrorism and border security operations.
The request includes associated equipment in addition to the Black Hawks, including 30 T700-GE-701D engines.
Weaponry will include 24 M134 7.62mm machine guns, the integration of precision guided rocket system capability to permit launch of laser-guided variants of 2.75 rockets, 9,100 2.75 hydra rockets, 100 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 20 M299 Hellfire missile pods, 24 M261 Hydra-70 rocket pods, and 24 GAU-19 .50 cal machine guns.
Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems and Wescam MX-15Di or Brite Star II Electro-Optical Infrared laser designators will be included, as will 6 aviation mission planning systems, aviation ground power unit, AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles, AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, AN/APR-39A(V)4s Radar Warning Receivers, and AN/AVR-2B(V)1s Laser Warning Systems. Radios and transponders have also been requested.
Additionally, aircraft warranty, ammunition, air worthiness support, facility construction, spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, site surveys, tool and test equipment, US government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related element of programme and logistics support will also be included in the package.
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