Australia Wants Helos

The Pentagon has advised Congress of a potential $2.1 billion deal to sell 24 MH-60R Seahawk Multi-Mission Helicopters to Australia.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency on July 9 announced the potential sale, which would include 60 T-700 GE 401C Engines -- two per aircraft plus 12 spares -- communication equipment, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications and the like.

According to the notice:

The proposed sale of the MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters will improve Australia’s anti-submarine and surface warfare capability and provide an improved search and rescue and anti-ship surveillance capability. Australia will also use the enhanced capability in future contingency operations encompassing humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and stability operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these additional helicopters into its armed forces.

The prime contractors for such a deal, according to the notice, would be Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, CT; Lockheed Martin, Owego, NY; General Electric, Lynn, MA; and Raytheon, Portsmouth, RI.