USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for an upgrade program for MH-60R Helicopters

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for an upgrade program for MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters.  The estimated cost is $360 million.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 30, 2017.

The Government of Australia has requested a follow-on case for a possible ten-year upgrade program for twenty-four (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and associated training devices, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, engineering and technical services, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), ECPs for training devices, classified software (JMPS/MDLs), Engineering Technical Assistance (ETA), Logistics Technical Assistance (LTA), Other Technical Assistance (OTA), supply support, support equipment, and other related elements of logistics and program support.  The total estimated program cost is $360 million.

News Report: US Approves $101.4Mln Sale of Tank Practice Ammo to Australia

Australian Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank

The US State Department approved the possible sale of thousands of rounds of artillery practice munitions to Australia for $101.4 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a press release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The tank ammunition will be provided from US Army inventories, the release noted.

"The Government of Australia has requested the possible sale of 6,030 rounds of M865 120mm Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot-Tracer Tank Projectiles and 8,610 rounds of M1002 120mm Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer Tank Projectiles, the DSCA explained on Tuesday. "[With the inclusion of] US government technical services, technical data, and other related elements of logistical and program support, the total estimated program cost is $101.4 million."

The Stabilized Discarding Sabot-Tracer Tank Projectile is an armor piercing munition, according to published reports.

Australia intends to use the tank ammunition [to] maintain training levels for its tank operators, the release added. Australia is a key non-NATO Ally and partner that contributes to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Report: US Approves $101Mln Sale of Radio, Missile Systems for F-18 Jets to Australia

The US Department of State has approved a more than $101-million sale of radio communications and missile countermeasures systems to Australia for use on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat jets, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a news release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Australia requested the possible sale of thirty-two Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) with four channel Concurrent Multi-Network (CMN-4), and thirty-nine AN/ALQ-214A(V)4 Countermeasure Systems," the release explained.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for upgrades for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft," the release said on Tuesday. "The estimated cost is $101.4 million."

The purchase will include all system integration and testing, component improvement, technical document updates, personnel training and training equipment upgrades and technical assistance, the release added.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Report: US, India Leaders Pledge to Boost Security, Trade Ties

Steve Herman

WHITE HOUSE — U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are pledging to work together to boost security and trade ties.

The two countries “look forward to working together on advanced defense equipment and technology at a level commensurate with that of the closest allies and partners of the United States,” according to a White House statement issued Monday evening.

Declaring his talks with the president “very successful and very fruitful,” the visiting Indian prime minister gave his host a trademark bear hug in the White House Rose Garden when the two finished reading their respective statement. They did not take questions from the dozens of White House correspondents and the visiting Indian reporters.

Modi also announced increased cooperation on fighting terrorism, including enhanced sharing of intelligence.

“The top priority for both President Trump and I is to protect our societies from global challenges like terrorism, and our aim is to strengthen India and the United States, the two great democracies of the world,” Modi said alongside Trump.

USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for Gulfstream G550 Aircraft with Airborne ISR and EW (AISREW) mission systems

A G550 with an AISREW system installed under the fuselage

WASHINGTON, Jun. 26, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for Gulfstream G550 Aircraft with Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (AISREW) mission systems. The estimated cost is $1.3 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on June 23, 2017.

The Government of Australia requested the possible sale of up to five (5) Gulfstream G-550 aircraft modified to integrate Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (AISREW) mission systems, Global Positioning System (GPS) capability, secure communications, aircraft defensive systems; spares, including whole life costs of airborne and ground segments; aircraft modification and integration; ground systems for data processing and crew training; ground support equipment; publications and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; flight test and certification; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $1.3 billion.

USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for C-17 transport aircraft

An Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster in flight (File Photo)

WASHINGTON, Jun. 26, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for C-17 transport aircraft. The estimated cost is $366.2 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of India has requested the possible sale of one (1) C-17 transport aircraft with four (4) Turbofan F-117-PW-100 engines. The sale would also include one (1) AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, one (1) AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS), one (1) AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponder, precision navigation equipment, spare and repair parts, maintenance, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, warranty, Quality Assurance, ferry support, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $366.2 million.

News Report: Japan Unveils First Domestically Made F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

An Australian F-35 during flight testing

Lockheed Martin’s overseas production facility has dropped the curtain on its first $100-million F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.

The fifth-generation fighter jet was displayed on Monday in Toyoyama, Japan, a city about 6,483 miles from the US F-35 manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plant assembled the aircraft, according to Jiji Press.

Mitsubishi wasn’t explicitly involved in the design, but its workers are contracted by Lockheed to build the planes. Italy and Japan comprise Lockheed’s sole manufacturing partners for the jet, according to the company’s website. 

According to Lockheed, the F-35 Lightning II is composed of more than 300,000 individual parts.

News Story: Trump budget proposal kills Obama's counterterrorism partnerships fund

By: Joe Gould

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s budget announced Tuesday proposes an end to President Obama’s signature counterterrorism training program, long criticized on Capitol Hill as too broad to be effective. 

The White House proposal would zero out the Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund, from $1.8 billion in fiscal 2017. CTPF, billed as a means to provide security assistance to moderate allies fighting extremists in Africa and the Mideast, endured successive cuts in Congress and criticism Obama was too light on strategy and specifics for Congress's liking. 

The Trump administration does propose $1.8 billion for a Counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Train and Equip Fund — a continuation of three accounts consolidated in the 2017 budget Congress passed earlier this month. That fund is meant to support Iraqi government forces as they retake Mosul, Iraq, and vetted Syrian forces as they retake Raqqa, Syria, from the Islamic State group. The proposed funding is under the off-budget overseas contingency operations (OCO) account.

Obama, in 2014, announced the CTPF in a speech at U.S. Military Academy at West Point commencement, as a means to “more effectively partner with countries where terrorist networks seek a foothold.” He envisioned a fund of up to $5 billion, to “allow us to train, build capacity, and facilitate partner countries on the front lines” of Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Mali and beyond, he said.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for CBRN support equipment

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for CBRN support equipment. The estimated cost is $75 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 10, 2017.

The Government of India (GoI) has requested a possible sale of 38,034 M50 general purpose masks; Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST), which consists of 38,034 each: suits, pairs of trousers, pairs of gloves, pairs of boots and NBC bags; 854 aprons; 854 alternative aprons; 9,509 Quick Doff Hoods; and 114,102 M61 filters. Also included in the potential sale is training; technical data; U.S. Government technical assistance; staging/consolidation; transportation; and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $75 million.

USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia for Anti-Radiation Missiles

WASHINGTON, Apr. 28, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia for Anti-Radiation Missiles. The estimated cost is $137.6 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 27, 2017.

Australia has requested a possible sale of up to seventy (70) AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) Tactical Missiles; up to forty (40) AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM) Tactical Missiles; up to sixteen (16) CATM-88B HARM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); up to sixteen (16) CATM-88E AARGM CATM; up to twenty-five (25) AGM-88B Control Sections; up to twenty-five (25) AGM-88B Guidance Sections; up to twenty (20) AGM-88E Control Sections; up to twenty (20) AGM-88E Guidance Sections; up to forty eight (48) Telemetry/Flight Termination Systems; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other associated support equipment and services. The total estimated cost is $137.6 million.

News Report: US State Dept. Approves $1.46 Billion Sale of P-8A Patrol Planes to New Zealand

New Zealand will buy four P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the United States to replace its retired P-3K maritime patrol aircraft.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Department of State has approved a $1.46 billion sale of four P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and associated support to the government of New Zealand, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a press release on Friday.

"The Government of New Zealand intends to use these defense articles and services to continue its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) capability, following retirement of its P-3K maritime patrol aircraft," the release stated.

The agency said the sale of the Boeing aircraft will enhance regional and global contributions by New Zealand.

The P-8A Poseidon is designed for long-range anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It is based on Boeing's 737-800 aircraft.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: US State Department OKs mortar rounds sale to Singapore

Image: Wiki Commons

By: Mike Yeo

MELBOURNE, Australia — The U.S. State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to Singapore for 120mm guided mortar rounds worth $66 million. 

According to a release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Southeast Asian island nation requested a sale of 2,000 Orbital ATK XM395 Accelerated Precision Mortar Initiative rounds. 

Responding to a request from Defense News for comment, Singapore’s Ministry of Defence confirmed it's looking to acquire 120mm guided mortar munitions, although it added that “the acquisition process is in the preliminary stage, and the Singapore Armed Forces is considering several options.” 

According to Orbital ATK, the XM395 combines GPS guidance and computer-controlled directional control surfaces onto existing 120mm mortar rounds, replacing the standard fuzes and transforming them into precision-guided munitions that are compatible with all 120mm smoothbore mortar systems.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Key equipment for Australia's Future Submarine programme to be agreed by early 2018

Julian Kerr

Suppliers for the five main sub-components for Australia's Future Submarine requirement are expected to be under contract by early 2018, programme head Rear Admiral Greg Sammut disclosed on 16 February.

Speaking at an industry day in Sydney, Rear Adm Sammut listed the top five items as being the main motor, diesel generators, DC switchboard, batteries, and weapon discharge system.

With construction in South Australia expected to start in 2023 with the aim of having the first of the 12 Future Submarines in service "in the early 2030s", work on the infrastructure necessary to ensure a fully qualified workforce was in place would begin in 2018, he said.

Meanwhile, concept design work and sensor selection studies were under way, detailed planning was proceeding on land-based build, test, and integration facilities, and an integrated master schedule was in development, Rear Adm Sammut.

Read the full story at IHS Jane's 360

USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AEA-18G Electronic Warfare Range System

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2016 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AEA-18G Electronic Warfare Range System and related support, equipment, and training. The estimated cost is $115 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on December 2, 2016.

The Government of Australia has requested additional funding to a previously implemented case for two Electronic Warfare Range Systems to conduct Electronic Warfare and Electronic Surveillance training within the borders of Australia. The original FMS case, valued at $79.07 million, includes non-MDE costs for all support elements required to provide for system integration testing, tools and test equipment, support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications, operations manuals, technical documents, personnel training, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The addition of $35.93 million in non-MDE funding to the basic case will provide for unfunded requirements to meet the scope of the basic case and provide for the sale of additional classified technical data and software, system integration and testing, tools and test equipment, support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications, operations manuals, and technical documents, personnel training, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of engineering, logistics, and program management. This amendment will push the original case value above notification threshold and thus requires notification of the entire case. The total overall estimated value is $115 million.

News Report: US Defense Secretary May Return Empty Handed From Last-Ditch India Visit

MQ-9 Guardian (Image: Wiki Commons)

The last India visit of Ashton Carter as US Defense Secretary may not yield substantial results because New Delhi has confirmed that it has no plans to purchase American drones.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The outgoing US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter makes no secret of his familiarity with the Indian Defence Ministry but his last visit to the country may not yield results.

The Indian government has denied reports claiming it has started the process for purchasing 22 long-range Predator B Guardian surveillance drone under a government-to-government deal with the US. 

News Story: Kuwait, Qatar Deals Move Forward, Likely Putting Boeing Fighter Jet Production Into the 2020s

An Australian F/A-18F Super Hornet (File Photo)

By: Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — The State Department approved two potential high-profile fighter jet sales of up to 40 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to Kuwait and 72 F-15QA planes to Qatar. 

The sale would be a major coup for Boeing, which manufactures both planes and has banked on foreign sales to extend the life of its fighter jet lines into the 2020s. 

The Kuwaiti deal is worth approximately $10.1 billion for 32 E-model Super Hornets, 8 F-models, their associated F414-GE-400 engines and spares, 41 AN/APG active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars and a slew of weapon systems, including 20mm guns, 240 guided missile launchers, 45 AN/ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receivers, 12 AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER advanced targeting pods, 48 Link-16 systems, eight conformal fuel tanks among others. The sale also includes associated support and logistics services. 

The agreement with Qatar would bring in approximately $21.1 billion for the aircraft and their associated weapons systems, US-based training, maintenance support equipment, and logistics support, among other items. The country is considering splitting the 72-jet purchase between Boeing’s F-15 and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Philippine army to acquire more upgraded M113A2 APC Armoured Personnel Carrier

Philippine Army M113 APC (Image: Wiki Commons)

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana of Philippines vowed Tuesday, September 20, 2016, to support the acquisition of more upgraded M113A2 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) for the Philippine Army. After the close inspection of the M113A2 APC, Lorenzana emphasized that he will concentrate on the allotment of additional budget for the purchase of more APCs.

In March 2015, Philippine Army has take delivery of 28 upgraded M-113A2 armored vehicle for the Mechanized Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA), including 10 Fire Support Vehicles (FSV) with 76mm turret, 10 equipped with Remote Control Weapons System (RWS) and another 4 units of Armored Recovery Vehicle.

Elbit System from Israel has upgraded 28 M-113A2 granted by US Defense Security Cooperation Agency in the Philippines. 

Read the full story at Army Recognition

News Story: State Department Clears $1.9B Sale of KC-46A Tankers to Japan

Boeing KC-46 (Image: Wiki Commons)

By: Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — The US State Department on Wednesday approved a potential $1.9 billion sale of KC-46A refueling tankers to Japan, moving Boeing one step closer to finalizing its first international deal for the aircraft. 

According to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency notice, the proposed deal includes four KC-46A aircraft, the associated Pratt & Whitney Model 4062 engines needed to power the plane, plus one additional spare. Japan would also receive training and support as part of the agreement. 

Those aircraft will be equipped with the  ALR-69A Radar Warning Receiver and Miniaturized Airborne GPS Receiver — both from Raytheon — as well as Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft

WASHINGTON, Sep. 21, 2016 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.9 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan requested the sale of four (4) KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft. Each aircraft is powered by two (2) Pratt &Whitney Model 4062 (PW4062) Turbofan engines. The sale includes one (1) additional spare PW4062 engine. Each aircraft will be delivered with GPS capability and defensive systems installed plus spares, to include: Raytheon's ALR-69A Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Raytheon's Miniaturized Airborne GPS Receiver (MAGR) 2000 (2K) to provide GPS Selective Availability AntiSpoofing Module SAASM capability, and Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system. Each LAIRCM system consists of the following components: three (3) Guardian Laser Terminal Assemblies (GLTA), six (6) Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-54, one (1) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR), one (1) Control Indicator Unit Replacement, one (1) Smart Card Assembly, and one (1) High Capacity Card.

News Story: Korea F-35A Program Coming Together

By: Wendell Minnick

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $7 million contract for providing the multispectral database for the upcoming delivery to South Korea of 40 F-35A Lightening II stealth fighters with conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) capability. 

The contract was awarded Aug. 23 by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The  US Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland will handle the contract. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews