The State Department has approved a potential $650 million foreign military sale of equipment and services to refurbish the Czech Republic’s utility helicopter fleet.
The proposed FMS deal covers the modernization of six AH-1Z and two UH-1Y excess defense articles, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Wednesday.
Technology products will include T-700 GE 401C turboshaft engines, GPS inertial navigation systems, M240 machine guns and ARC-210 COMSEC radios.
The Czech Republic also requested communication equipment, electronic warfare systems, flight training devices, a composite maintenance trainer, spare and repair parts, training, technical, logistics and program support assistance.
Bell, a subsidiary of Textron (NYSE: TXT), and General Electric (NYSE: GE) will serve as principal contractors on the proposed deal, which will require multiple trips by government and contractor representatives to the Czech Republic over five years.
The European country made the request to develop and maintain its defense capability as a NATO partner.
