Taiwan to purchase Black Hawks

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of 60 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, technical and other related logistics support. The estimated cost is $3.1 billion.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States has requested a possible sale of 60 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with 120 T-700-GE-701D engines, 18 spare T-700-GE-701D engines, 69 AN/APR-39A(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers, 69 AN/ALQ- 144A(V)1 Infrared Countermeasure Sets, 69 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, 69 AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets, 120 GAU-19/A .50 cal Machine Gun Systems, and 310 AN/AVS-9 Aviator Night Vision Goggles. Also included are .50 cal ammunition, pyrotechnics, cartridges and propellant actuated devices.

Also included are other explosives including devices, Po-Sheng Communication/Data Link Systems, ammunition, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $3.1 billion.

This sale is consistent with United States law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8. The US is committed to providing military assistance under the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act.

This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its defensive capability.

The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region. The recipient needs these helicopters for self-defense, personnel movement, cargo lifting, and aero medical evacuation capabilities. This procurement will modernize the recipient’s rotary wing fleet and provide for the defense of vital installations and close air support for ground forces. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

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

The principal contractors will be: Sikorsky Aircraft (United Technologies) Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut, and General Electric Aircraft Company of Lynn, Massachusetts. The purchaser has requested offsets; however, at this time they are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractors. Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of two contractor representatives for a period of up to two years.

There will be no adverse impact on US 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.

Source: DSCA