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No. 169-M
MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS
October 29, 1999
The Government of Israel has requested a possible sale for remanufacture of 24 AH-64A APACHE helicopters to AH-64D model aircraft, 12 AN/APG-78 AH-64D Longbow Fire Control Radar, 12 APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometer, 56 T-700-GE-701C engines, 24 Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS), 480 AGM-114L3 HELLFIRE II laser guided missiles, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical support and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $508 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
Israel desires these articles to fulfill their strategic commitments for self-defense, with coalition support, in the region. The proposed sale will upgrade its anti-armor day/night missile capability, provide for the defense of vital installations and provide close air support for the military ground forces. Israel, which already has APACHE helicopters in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be the Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona; Lockheed Martin Electronics and Missiles, Orlando, Fla.; Lockheed Martin Federal Systems, Owego, N.Y.; General Electric, Lynn, Mass.; and Longbow LLC, Orlando, Fla. Under this sale, the contractor will incur offset obligations under an existing industrial cooperation agreement.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government and contractor representatives to Israel.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
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