US State Department approves possible C-17 aircraft sustainment sale to the UAE

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The US Department of Defense announced that the State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of C-17 Aircraft Sustainment and related equipment.

The estimated cost of the sale and services is $980.4 million, the Department of Defense said in a statement released July 19, 2022. 

According to the Department of Defense, the UAE government requested to buy the following:

  • buy follow-on sustainment and support of C-17 fleet to include aircraft hardware and software modifications and support

  • Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) software

  • classified software support for Electronic Warfare (EW) self-protection

  • aircraft and engine support equipment, components, consumables, spare parts

  • repair/return

  • publications and technical documentation

  • heavy maintenance support

  • participation in the C-17 Virtual Fleet for Total System Sustainment (TSS) contractor logistics support and Material Improvement Program (MIP)

  • other U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services;

  • and other related elements of program support

The Department of Defense said that the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. It also said that the prime contractor will be The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL.

Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded. The notice of the potential law is announced due to law requirements in the US.