The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on February 1 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of a 10-year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for 24 MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters, and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support for an estimated cost of US$1.6 billion.
The sustainment effort will include spare and repair parts provisioning, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.
The request follows on from the announcement last year that Defence has submitted the FMS case for 24 Romeo helicopters from Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin as part of their business case as the competition for Air 9000 Ph 8 draws closer to its dénouement.