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WASHINGTON, April 29 (UPI) -- U.S. sustainment packages for Australian fighter aircraft and warships through the Foreign Military Sales program have won approval from the State Department. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in charge of managing the FMS program, notified Congress of the action and said the two sales deals have a combined value of $1.775 billion.
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"Australia is an important ally and partner that contributes significantly to coalition, peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations around the world," DSCA said. "It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability."
The first proposed sales package would be for follow-on sustainment of two dozen F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft, together with associated equipment and parts.
Support and services would include software and hardware updates, engineering change proposals, system configuration upgrades, system integration and testing, engine component improvement, tools and test equipment, and spare and repair parts.
Related logistics and program support would be included in the deal, which carries a value of $1.5 billion.
"The proposed sale of follow-on sustainment support and services will enable the Royal Australian Air Force to ensure the reliability and performance of its F/A-18 fleet," according to the agency. "The follow-on support will allow Australia to maintain aircraft availability/operational rates, and enhance interoperability with the U.S. and other nations.
The principal contractor would be Boeing, and implementation of the sale may require continued assignment of U.S. government and contractor representatives to Australia.
The second proposed FMS deal is for follow-on sustainment support and services for three Hobart-class destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy.
DSCA said the contract would be worth $275 million and would cover AEGIS computer software and hardware updates, system integration and testing, tools and test equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment.
"The proposed sale will improve Australia's capability in current and future coalition efforts," the agency told Congress. "Australia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense."
The principal contractor for the services would be Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training. Implementation of sales deal would result in the temporary assignment of about five U.S. government or contractor representatives for a period of three years to Australia on an intermittent basis.
The two possible FMS packages for Australia were the fifth and sixth FMS deals reported to Congress by DSCA this month. Egypt has requested a $57 million deal for Hellfire missiles; Pakistan is seeking AH-1Z attack helicopters and hellfire missiles for $952 million; Korea is seeking the same type of missiles for $81 million; while India requested follow-on support for its C-130J transport fleet for $96 million.
