Emirates up for $2B Chinook deal

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The United States plans to sell the United Arab Emirates, a key ally in the Gulf, 16 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters worth $2 billion, while General Dynamics Land Systems gets a $17.6 million contract to upgrade some of Saudi Arabia's U.S.-built M1A2 Abrams tanks.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Dec. 3 of the possible sale for its approval.

It said the contract included 38 T55-GA-714A turbines, 20 AN/APX-118 transponders, 20 AN/ARC-220 single channel ground and airborne radio systems with electronic counter-countermeasures, 18 AN/APR-39A radar detection sets and support equipment.

The United Arab Emirates, the second most powerful member after Saudi Arabia of the six-state Gulf Cooperation Council, already has 12 CH-47C Chinooks for its special forces.

The emirates has concentrated on building up its air power in recent years and is now capable of punching well above its weight in that arena with its 184 frontline combat aircraft and its 40-plus attack helicopters.

The sale of more advanced Chinooks is presumably part of the $20 billion arms package pledged for the GCC states -- which also includes Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain -- by President George W. Bush in 2007 to boost the alliance against Iran.

It also underlines the extent to which the Gulf Arab states are prepared to be seen as allying themselves with the West -- and acknowledge that however much they may spend on weapons, their security depends on the United States, Britain and France.

Air power has played a decisive role in Middle Eastern conflict over the last four decades and the region's military strategists are aware of the constant need for upgrades, whether they are strike aircraft or helicopters.

The emirates topped the ranks of arms-buying states in 2009 with $7.9 billion in government-to-government sales, according to Pentagon statistics.

Saudi Arabia is also reported to be negotiating with Boeing for an unspecified number of CH-47s as well as 12 AH-64D Block II Apache Longbow attack helicopters.

Under the General Dynamics deal, awarded by the U.S. Army's TACOM Lifecycle Management Command for the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Michigan-based company will convert 15 M1A2 main battle tanks to M1A2S standard.

The work will be carried out at the U.S. Army Tank Plant at Lima, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2012.

The contract is in addition to an overall $58 million 2008 award to General Dynamics to upgrade the Saudis' 315 MiA2s.

The DSCA has also advised Congress of plans to sell Jordan, Saudi Arabia's northern neighbor, 1,808 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and associated equipment, training and logistical support valued at $388 million.