The State Department has approved a possible $680 million Foreign Military Sale to Mexico for UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.
The principal contractors would be Sikorsky [UTX] and General Electric [GEAC]. There are no known offset agreements.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) April 17 notified Congress of the possible sale.
Photo: Sikorsky
Mexico has requested a possible sale of 18 Black Hawks in standard U.S. government configuration with designated unique equipment and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), 40 T700-GE-701D Engines–36 installed and 4 spares–42 Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems–36 installed and 6 spares–and 36 M134 7.62mm Machine Guns, five Aviation Mission Planning Systems, 18 AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles, and one Aviation Ground Power Unit.
The potential sale also would include communication security equipment including AN/ARC-210 RT-8100 series radios, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, aircraft warranty, air worthiness support, facility construction, spare and repair parts, support equipment, and publications and technical documentation. Additionally, personnel training and training equipment, site surveys, and tool and test equipment would be included in the sale.
There would also be U.S. government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related element of program, technical and logistics support.
The sale of these UH-60Ms to Mexico would significantly increase and strengthen its capability to provide in-country airlift support for its forces engaged in counter-drug operations, the statement said.
Mexico intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing army architecture in its efforts to combat drug trafficking organizations.