The State Department approved a possible $300 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to the Argentina for T-6C+ Texan aircraft, training, and support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on July 29.
The sale would include 24 T-6C+ Texan trainer aircraft, spare engines, initial spare parts, and support equipment.
The FMS also covers communications equipment, studies and surveys, contract logistics support and technical services, aircraft technical publications, aircraft ferry and support, life support equipment, initial maintenance training, initial pilot training, follow-on training, alternate mission equipment, Air Force Materiel Command services and travel, unclassified minor modifications and engineering change proposals, ground-based training system, operational flight trainer (OFT) and OFT spare parts.
The primary contractor is Beechcraft Defense Company, LLC [TXT]. Argentina requested offsets but agreements are undetermined and will be clarified in future negotiations between the purchaser and contractor.
Argentina would use the aircraft and equipment to revitalize the country’s capability to train pilots and fulfill border control missions, particularly along the northern border. This will help Argentina more generally redevelop a professional pilot corps and the aircraft will be used as a deterrent to illicit activity, DSCA said.
The agency highlighted the sale may provide further opportunities for bilateral engagements and further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Argentina.
DSCA noted the Argentine Air Force (AAF) is already experienced working with the Pratt & Whitney [UTX] PT6 engine family currently used in Argentine T-34, King Air, and Cessna Caravan aircraft.
Implementation of the sale would not require the assignment of additional U.S. government and/or contractor representatives to Argentina, although the AAF plans to initially train a cadre of mechanics in the U.S. followed by a larger group trained in-country through military training teams.