The Defense Security Cooperation Agency Oct. 28 notified Congress of a possible $111 million Foreign Military Sale to Turkey for three AH-1W Super Cobra Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical.
There will be no prime contractor associated with this proposed sale. The aircraft will be sold from Marine Corps’ inventory. The effect on USMC readiness will be mitigated by the submission of a reprogramming action to return the sales proceeds from the U.S. Treasury’s general receipts account to the Marines’ H-1 upgrades program.
Turkey wants three AH-1W Super Cobra Attack Helicopters, seven T700-GE-401 engines, inspections and modifications, parts, training and training equipment, documentation, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics personnel support services, and other logistics support.
DSCA told Congress the proposed sale would improve Turkey’s capability for self defense, modernization, regional security, and interoperability with U.S. and other NATO members. AH-1W helicopters are already in the Turkish Land Forces Command inventory and will further improve Turkey’s ground defense capabilities. Turkey will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of these helicopters will not alter the basic military balance in the region or U.S. efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement in Cyprus.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately five contractor representatives to Turkey for a period of up to 90 days for differences training between U.S. and Turkish AH-1Ws helicopters.