The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress May 12 of a possible $72 million Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Malaysia for upgrades to existing F/A-18D aircraft, as well as associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.
The principal contractor would be Boeing [BA].
Malaysia requested the procurement and integration of a Mid Life Upgrade to existing F/A-18D aircraft including six AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR Pods.
Also included are software development, system integration and testing, test sets, aircrew and maintenance training, support equipment, spares and repair parts, publications, technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor technical, logistics, engineering support services, and other support.
Malaysia needs these assets to support future coalition operations and aircraft interoperability with the U.S. and other regional partners, DSCA said in its statement. This will upgrade the current FLIR pod to a current configuration, reducing obsolescence issues, and aligning the Malaysian Navy with functionality similar to the U.S. Navy.
Implementation of this sale would require the temporary travel of approximately eight contractor representatives