The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Turkey for three AH-1W SUPER COBRA Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $111 million.

The Government of Turkey has requested a possible sale of three AH-1W SUPER COBRA Attack Helicopters, seven T700-GE-401 engines (six installed and one spare), inspections and modifications, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics personnel support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $111 million.

Turkey is a partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability that will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.

The proposed sale will improve Turkey’s capability for self defense, modernization, regional security, and interoperability with U.S. and other NATO members. AH-1W helicopters are already in the Turkish Land Forces Command inventory and will further enhance Turkey’s ground defense capabilities. Turkey will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of these helicopters will not alter the basic military balance in the region or U.S. efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement in Cyprus.

There will be no prime contractor associated with this proposed sale. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately five contractor representatives to Turkey for a period of up to 90 days for differences training between U.S. and Turkish AH-1Ws helicopters.

These aircraft will be sold from the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) inventory. The effect on USMC readiness will be mitigated by the submission of a reprogramming action to return the sales proceeds from the U.S. Treasury’s general receipts account to the USMC’s H-1 upgrades program.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
-30-