The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Mexico for UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment. The estimated sale price is $1.075 billion.
The Government of Mexico has requested to buy eleven (11) UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters; twenty-seven (27) T700-GE-701D engines; twenty-seven (27) EAGLE-M+429 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems; and twenty-seven (27) AN/ARC-231A RT-1987 Very High Frequency (VHF)/Ultra High Frequency/line-of-sight satellite communication radios. The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: APX-128 identification friend or foe (IFF) transponder; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader; KIV-79 common IFF cryptographic appliqué computers ; AN/ARN-147(V) VHF omni-directional range/instrument landing system receiver radio; AN/ARN 149(V) low frequency/automatic direction finder radio receiver; AN/ARN-153 tactical air navigation system receiver transmitter; RACC-209 radar altimeter; AN/ARC-220 high frequency radio; AN/AVS-6 night vision goggles; EBC-406HM emergency locator transmitter; RDR-7000 color weather radar; MX-10D electro-optical/infrared with laser designator, illuminator, pointer/range finder/cabin viewer; engine inlet barrier filters; ballistic armor protection systems; internal auxiliary fuel tank systems; fast rope insertion extraction system; airframe mounted rescue hoist; rescue hoist equipment sets; country unique instrument panel; cockpit multi-function display; Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System I; upturned exhaust system; M-134 machine gun; helmets; transportation; organizational equipment; spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated sale price is $1.075 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of an ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in North America.
The proposed sale will assist with the modernization of Mexico’s rotary-wing fleet and increase efficiency by consolidating helicopter types and expanding the existing UH-60M fleet. In addition, the procurement will reinforce U.S.-Mexico bilateral relations and strengthen Mexico’s capability to provide in-country airlift support for its forces engaged in counter-drug operations. Mexico will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, located in Stratford, CT.
At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require fifteen (15) additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Mexico for an extended period for equipment de-processing and fielding, system checkout, training, and technical and logistics support.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.