Three big military sales to Australia, Egypt, as well as the Netherlands, have been disclosed by the US State Department.
The transactions are projected to be worth $3.1 billion in total, with officials claiming they will neither change the basic balance of power in the different regions, nor have a negative influence on America’s defense preparedness.
The Details
The Department of State cleared the new agreements, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which was disclosed in a series of releases on May 25.
Egypt is set to receive the largest of the purchases, which will include CH-47F Chinook aircraft and associated equipment, as well as service and tech assistance, for a total cost of $2.6 billion.
“This will serve the United States’ international affairs and public safety by helping improve the safety of a large Non-NATO partner that remains to be an essential strong partner in western Asia and the Middle East,” DSCA mentioned in a release.
Egypt, a non-NATO partner of the United States, will benefit from the anticipated sale by improving its heavy-lift capabilities, bolstering its defenses, and deterring regional threats.
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The main contractor will be the Philadelphia-based Boeing Helicopter Company.
The sale would be implemented by sending a small number of US government and subcontractor personnel to Egypt, as well as deploying five US military officers for a two-year period to offer field technical help.
Egypt will acquire TOW 2A missile systems and provide in a separate arrangement announced on May 19, with a possible sale for $691 million.
Egypt, the most populated Arab country, is seen as a strategic ally and a crucial non-NATO ally by the United States. It is in charge of the Suez Canal, which carries around 10% of all global traffic.
According to the DSCA, Australia will acquire a variety of rocket launchers and supporting equipment for a total cost of $385 million.
The M142 Powered Artillery Missile Batteries (HIMARS), a truck-mounted multiple missile launcher, is being offered for sale to Australia.
It also comprises army tactical missile defense systems, guided multiple launch missile systems, alternate warhead capsules with insensitive ammunition propulsion technology, and controlled multiple-launch missile systems.
Arabs Doing Well From This Deal
Lockheed Martin and L3 Harris would be two of the key subcontractors on the Australia project, while Chelton will be the third.
The Netherlands is planning to upgrade its missile capacity in a $117 million contract.
US military presence around the world pic.twitter.com/HihMFIY49b
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This is a contract that includes the procurement of AIM-9X Block II Tactical Ballistic missiles and supporting equipment. This also follows a previous Dutch request for AIM-9X missiles worth approximately $16.8 million.
The weapons will enable the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF) to undertake regional security tasks. As this happens, the weapons will also boost interoperability with the US and other NATO partners.
