WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Israel is seeking to purchase V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft from the United States through a Foreign Military Sales deal worth about $1.13 billion.
The proposed sale, reported to Congress this week, is one of two, billion-dollar contract requests announced by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The Republic of Singapore is seeking an upgrade of its F-16 Block 52 aircraft at a cost of $2.43 billion.
DSCA said the proposed sale to Israel is for six V-22s, plus associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.
Included in Israel's shopping list are 16 Roll-Royce AE1107C engines, six AN/APR-39 radar warning receiver systems, six AN/ALE-47 counter-measure dispenser systems, six AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems, six AN/APX-123 identification-friend-or-foe Systems, and six AN/ARN-153 tactical airborne navigation systems.
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Also included are AN/ARN-147 very high frequency omni-directional range instrument landing system beacon navigation systems, multi-band radios, AN/APN-194 radar altimeters, miniature airborne Global Positioning System receivers, and mission planning systems.
"The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability," the agency said. "This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.
"The ... proposed sale of V-22B aircraft will enhance and increase the Israel Defense Forces' search and rescue and special operations capabilities. The V-22B provides the capability to move personnel and equipment to areas not accessible by fixed wing lift assets."
The V-22 Osprey, built by a Bell Boeing partnership, is a tiltrotor aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing and short takeoff and landing capability. It is flown by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force.
DSCA said implementation of the sale would require temporary assignment of contractor and/or government personnel to Israel to provide technical support.
The second proposed sales deal – to Singapore – is for the upgrade of 60 F-16C/D/D+ aircraft to enhance the reliability, supportability, and combat effectiveness of the country's aging F-16 fleet.
Items to be procured for the upgrading include active electronically scanned array radars, LN-260 embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems, and APX-125 advanced identification-friend-or-foe combined interrogator transponders.
Missiles for training, testing and integration and bombs for testing and integration are included in the package request.
Modular mission computers, a software maintenance facility, cockpit multifunction displays, radios, secure communications, maintenance, repair and return, aircraft and ground support equipment, spare and repair parts, tool and test equipment are among other items on the shopping list.
"The improved capability, survivability, and reliability of newly upgraded F-16s will enhance the RSAFs ability to defend its borders and contribute to coalition operations with other allied forces," the agency told Congress.
"The proposed sale will improve the security of a strategic partner which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia Pacific region."
