Israel has requested the sale of 25 T-6A Texan aircraft as well as associated equipment and services, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The total value of the sale, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $190 million, DSCA said.
Prime contractors are: Hawker Beechcraft Corp., Pratt & Whitney [UTX], Martin Baker, Hartzel Propeller, Canadian Marconi, and L-3 [LLL] Vertex, DSCA said.
In addition to the 25 T-6A Texan aircraft, Israel is seeking Global Positioning System (GPS) with CMA-4124 GNSSA card and Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System (INS) spares, ferry maintenance, tanker support, aircraft ferry services, site survey, unit level trainer, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support, DSCA reported.
The Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of Zukit aircraft was produced in the early 1960s. The Zukit’s high fuel and maintenance costs, and low mission capable rates led to the IAF’s decision to procure new trainer aircraft. The T-6A aircraft will reduce training fuel requirements by 66 percent. The IAF will use these new aircraft to modernize its air force and to improve operational capability in coalition operations and exercises, and contribute to a modern air defense network for the legitimate defense of Israel. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces, DSCA said.
Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected, but at this time the specific offset agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor, according to DSCA.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Israel involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews/support, program management, and training over a period of up to15 years, DSCA added.