US approves sale of military helicopters to Bosnia and Herzegovina worth $100 million

The US Department of State has made a decision to approve the potential sale of AW-119Kx helicopters and related equipment to Bosnia and Herzegovina, for an estimated cost of $100 million.

The Agency for Security and Defense Cooperation issued the necessary certification notifying Congress of this potential sale, the Telegraph reports.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has requested the purchase of AW-119Kx helicopters; pilot and maintainer conversion qualification and training; in-country field service representative support; program management reviews; technical assistance; product support; associated aviation ground support equipment; platform-specific ground support equipment; equipment; special tools; test equipment and supplies; quality assurance team inspections; supplies; ground and flight test validation and verification; air cargo delivery; initial spare parts, repair parts, and consumables; operator maintenance; and technical manuals; engineering, technical, and logistics support services for the U.S. government and contractors; and other elements related to logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $100 million.

“The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale will enhance the ability of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet current and future threats, support cooperative regional and NATO exercises, and protect the national security interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the mountainous and inaccessible terrain of the country. The aircraft will also enable Bosnian forces to better support disaster relief, search and rescue, and other humanitarian assistance missions in the country, and will also be used for pilot training,” the decision states.

It is emphasized that the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not change the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Leonardo Helicopters US, AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At this time, the U.S. government is not aware of any proposed compensation arrangements in connection with this potential sale. Any compensation arrangements will be determined in negotiations between the buyer and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of up to five additional U.S. Government representatives, and up to seven contractor representatives to Bosnia and Herzegovina for up to five years to support equipment operations and training.

Earlier, the Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced that Bosnia and Herzegovina will purchase five new helicopters from the United States. /Telegraph/