Possible Chinook buy for Turkey

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress December 7 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, as well as associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $1.2 billion.

The Government of the Turkey has requested a possible sale of fourteen CH-47F Chinook Helicopters, 32 T55-GA-714A Turbine engines, 28 AN/ARC-201E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), 14 AN/APR-39A(V)1 Radar Signal Detecting Sets, support equipment, special tools and test equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, site survey, personnel training and training equipment, ferry services, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $1.2 billion.

Turkey is a partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability that will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.

The proposed sale will improve Turkey’s capability to meet current and future requirements for troop movement, medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue, disaster relief, fire-fighting, and heavy construction. Turkey will use these helicopters to strengthen its homeland defense, deter regional threats, and improve humanitarian and disaster mobilization and response.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be the Boeing Company of Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Turkey.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.