The State Department approved a possible $47 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia for M88A2 Hercules Heavy Recovery Vehicles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Jan. 26.
The primary contractor would be BAE Systems.
The requested FMS would include up to 6 M88A2 Hercules Heavy Recovery Vehicles, 7 Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade & Below (FBCB2)/Blue Force Trackers (BFT), AN/PSN-13(V) Global Positioning System (GPS) Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGR), AN/VAS-5 Driver Vision Enhancers (DVE), AN/VRC-92F with RT-1523F Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), Commander’s Weapon Station assemblies, remote thermal sights, radio harnesses , M239 Grenade Launchers, maintenance support devices, Deep Water Fording Kits, spare and repair parts, supply and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications, and technical documentation.
The sale would also contain United States Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
The Government of Australia would use the equipment to enhance its capability to conduct heavy ground operations, support deterrent capabilities against regional threats, and to strengthen its homeland defense.
The proposed sale “will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major contributor to political stability, security, and economic development in Southeast Asia, DSCA said in a statement.
“It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.”
Implementation of the FMS would not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to Australia.