US approves $495 mln sale of Black Hawk helicopters to Saudi Arabia

The US government has approved the possible sale of nine UH-60M Black Hawk Utility Helicopters to Saudi Arabia for an estimated $495 million, the Pentagon said in a statement Wednesday.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the sale would help the security of an important regional partner.

“The Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command (RSLFAC) plans to use these helicopters for search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, counterterrorism, and combat operations,” the statement said. “The proposed sale will not introduce new technology to or alter the basic military balance in the region.”

The sale will also include 20 machine guns, 20 embedded gps, 21 T700-GE-701D Engines, and logistical support, as requested by the Saudi government

Sikorsky Aircraft Company and General Electric Aircraft Company are the principal contractors.

The DSCA delivered the required paperwork to the congress on Tuesday. The deal will require 40 to 60 US government and contractor representatives to provide support in the kingdom for 60 months.