The
Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of 6 UH-72A
Lakota Helicopters, spare and repair parts, support equipment,
communication equipment, publications and technical documentation, Aviation
Mission Planning Station, personnel training and training equipment, U.S.
Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and
other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $77
million.
The UH-72A
Lakota is a military version of the Eurocopter EC145 helicopter
and is built by American Eurocopter division of EADS North America. A
version of the technologically advanced and proven EC145 multi-mission
helicopter, the UH-72A benefits from demonstrated performance in roles
that range from law enforcement and emergency medical transportation to
search and rescue (SAR), offshore utility operations and corporate transport.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national
security of the United States, by helping to improve the security of a
friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force
for political stability and economic progress in Southeast Asia.
This proposed sale will contribute to Thailand's goal to upgrade and modernize
its military forces with a new light utility helicopter capable of meeting
requirements for rotary-wing transportation, while further enhancing greater
interoperability between Thailand the U.S., and among other allies. Thailand
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 principal contractor will be EADS North America, in Herndon, Virginia.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this
potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to travel to Thailand for a period of five weeks for equipment
de-processing/fielding, system checkout and new equipment training and
a Contractor Furnished Service Representative (CFSR) for a period of one
year
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