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Poland, Pakistan, Lebanon seek U.S. military hardware

U.S. military equipment is being sought by Poland, Lebanon and Pakistan.

By Richard Tomkins
A Huey II from Bell Helicopter flown by the Iraqi Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael B. Keller)
A Huey II from Bell Helicopter flown by the Iraqi Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael B. Keller)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency says U.S. allies are seeking to buy more than $800 million worth of missiles, helicopters and armored vehicles.

The three possible sales packages under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program would be for Poland, Lebanon and Pakistan.

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All three possible sales have already been approved by the U.S. State Department, the agency said in its required notification to Congress, and would serve U.S. security interests.

The largest sale in terms of dollars would be to Poland, a member of NATO, which like other Eastern European states feels threatened by Russia's actions in the Ukraine.

Poland is requesting AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles as well as F-16 Operational Flight Plan upgrades, associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.

The cost would be an estimated $500 million. Lockheed Martin would be the principal contractor.

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"Poland continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in Central Europe," the agency said.

"The proposed sale will improve Poland's capability to meet current and future threats of enemy air and ground weapons systems. Poland will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense."

A total of 40 AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles would be covered under a sales contract as well as flight termination systems and flight certification test vehicles.

The Operational Flight Plan upgrade for the Polish Air Force's F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft would include integration of the JASSM missiles.

Pakistan, meanwhile, is seeking 160 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicles, spare and repair parts, and training, for an estimated cost of $198 million.

The sales deal, if approved by Congress and successfully negotiated, would be for sale of 160 Navistar MRAPS -- 110 MaxxPro Dash DXM, 30 MaxxPro Base DXM, 10 MaxxPro Dash DXM Ambulances, and 10 MaxxPro Recovery Vehicles.

Protection kits, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment would also be included in the deal.

"The proposed sale of MRAPs will ensure that Pakistan can effectively operate in hazardous areas in a safe, enhanced survivability vehicle, and improves Pakistan's interoperability with U.S. forces," DSCA said.

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Two U.S. government and 24 contractor representatives would be required in Pakistan if the sale is approved to provide inspections and de-processing of vehicles upon delivery, assistance in installation of vehicle accessory kits, and logistics support.

The third proposed sale notification to Congress was for 18 Huey II helicopters and accessories to the government of Lebanon to help it meet internal and border security threats and for conducting evacuations, search-and-rescue missions and drug interdiction operations.

Bell Helicopter would be the principal contractor and multiple trips to Lebanon over a three-year period by government and contractor representatives would be required to provide program support and training.

The sale would be worth $180 million.

In a related development, the Department of Defense this week announced it is awarding Textron Marine & Land Systems a firm-fixed-price FMS award of more than $15 million to provide mobile strike force vehicles and related hardware to Bulgarian National Military Forces deployed in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force.

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