The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of CH-47F Chinook Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.32 billion.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested to buy six (6) CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters with air-to-air refuel probe capability and extended range fuel tanks; sixteen (16) T-55-GA-714A engines, (12 installed, 4 spares); fourteen (14) Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS) (EGI) devices with M-Code (12 installed, 2 spares); eight (8) AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (6 installed, 2 spares); twenty (20) AN/ARC-231A communications security (COMSEC) radios (18 installed, 2 spares); and twenty (20) M-240 machine guns (18 installed, 2 spares).

The following non-MDE items will also be included: Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) classified software; AN/APR-39A radar warning receivers; AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets (LDS); AN/ARC-220 high frequency (HF) radios; KY-100M COMSEC terminals; aircraft survivability equipment (including impulse cartridges for cable cutters and aircraft cartridges); AN/ARN-147 Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni Directional Radio Range/Instrument Landing System (VOR/ILS) receivers; WESCAM MX-15HDi electro-optical/infrared imaging systems; AN/ARN-153 Tactical Airborne Navigation System (TACAN) radios; AN/APN-209 radar altimeters; AN/APX-123A identification friend or foe (IFF) transponders; KIV-77 COMSEC IFF cryptographic appliqués; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; services to support the mission equipment; hardware and services required to implement partner-unique modifications; Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction Systems (FRIES); Internal Extended Range Fuel Systems (ERFS); in-flight refueling capability; firefighting equipment; ballistic armor protection systems; air worthiness support; spare and repair parts; communications equipment; personnel training and training equipment; site surveys; tool and test equipment; ground support equipment; repair and return; publications and technical documentation; Quality Assurance Team (QAT); U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $1.32 billion.

The principal contractors will be Boeing Helicopter Aircraft Company, located in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania; and Honeywell Engine Company, located in Phoenix, Arizona. 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.

The U.S. State Department has also made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of F-16 Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $130 million.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested to buy additional F-16 aircraft components, spares, and accessories; and other related elements of logistics and program support that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was below the congressional notification threshold. The original Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case, valued at $40.9 million ($0 in MDE), included Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); munitions support equipment; night vision device (NVD) support and spare equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories; repair and return support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; site surveys; studies and surveys; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services. The estimated total cost is $130 million.

There are no principal contractors associated with this potential sale. 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 sale will require an estimated two U.S. Government and eight contractor representatives to travel to the UAE for up to sixty months for equipment de-processing, fielding, system checkout, training, and technical logistics support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of both these possible sale on 12 May 2025.

Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA); File Photo: CH-47 Chinook Helicopter © U.S. Army)