Washington (Web Desk): The US has approved a sale of attack helicopters, Hellfire Missiles and associated equipment worth $1billion to Pakistan to help the South Asian country in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.
According to Pentagon, Defence department has awarded a $284.6 million contract to Lockheed Martin to produce infrared target sight systems for the US Navy and Pakistan.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification, notifying the Congress of the possible sales under the Foreign Military Sale program, according to a statement by the DSCA.
Pakistan had requested 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and 1,000 AGM-114 R Hellfire 11 Missiles as part of a deal estimated at $952 million.
The associated equipment include 32 T-700 GE 401C Engines, 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.
“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a country vital to U.S. foreign policy and national security goals in South Asia,” according to the statement.
By acquiring this capability, Pakistan will enhance its ability to conduct operations in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and other remote and mountainous areas in all-weather, day-and-night environments. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the statement said.