The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the US Congress of a possible sale of six EADS North America UH-72A Lakota helicopters via the Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales mechanism. The aircraft, plus associated support equipment and training services, would cost $77 million, it says.
 |
|---|
US Army |
"This proposed sale will contribute to Thailand's goal to upgrade and modernise its military forces with a new light utility helicopter capable of meeting requirements for rotary-wing transportation, while further enhancing greater interoperability between Thailand and the USA," the DSCA says. There are offsets expected as a result of any sale.
If the sale goes ahead, US government and contractor personnel would have to go to Thailand for five weeks, initially to help field the helicopters. Contractor support would be needed for another year afterwards.
EADS North America has so far delivered more than 270 American Eurocopter-manufactured Lakotas to the US Army, with the fleet having accumulated more than 150,000 flight hours.
Source: Flight International