The State Department approved a possible $1.6 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia for several C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Wednesday.
Boeing would be the primary contractor for this sale.
Australia requested up to four C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, 19 F117-PW-100 Pratt & Whitney engines, four AN/AAQ-24V Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Systems, four Small Laser Transmitter Assemblies, four System Processors, four AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors, one AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser, one AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, five Trimble Force 524 Receivers, two GAS-1 Antenna Units, two Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas, one AN-USC-43V Advanced Narrowband Voice Terminal, 16 Honeywell H-764 ACE Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, spare and repair parts, supply and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications, and technical documentation.
It also includes United States Government and contractor engineering, logistics, technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
The proposed sale would increase Australia’s heavy airlift capability from six to ten C-17A aircraft.
The FMS would contribute to the national security of the United States by helping an important partner that contributes significantly to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world, 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. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with a key ally.”
The sale would not require the assignment of any additional government or contractor representatives to Australia.