ISLAMABAD: The US State Department has approved Pakistan’s request to purchase US-made attack helicopters, missiles and other equipment valued at almost $1 billion, aimed at fighting insurgents in the country.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that it has approved sale of AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles to Pakistan for an estimated cost of $952 million.
Pakistan has requested 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters, 32 T-700 GE 401C Engines (30 installed and 2 spares), 1000 AGM-114 R Hellfire II Missiles in containers, 36 H-1 Technical Refresh Mission computers, 17 AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight Systems, 30 629F-23 Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency Communication Systems, 19 H-764 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, 32 Helmet Mounted Display/Optimized Top Owl, 17 APX-117A Identification Friend or Foe, 17 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 17 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Sets, 18 AN/APR-39C(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers, 15 Joint Mission Planning Systems, and 17 M197 20mm Gun Systems.
The proposed sale will provide Pakistan with a precision strike, enhanced survivability aircraft that it can operate at high-altitudes.
The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, General Electric, Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
