The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of Bell 412 Enhanced Performance(EP) Exportable Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter to the Republic of Zambia.
The sale has an estimated value of $100 million, and includes related elements of logistics and program support.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, along with the undisclosed quantity of Bell 412 EP helicopters, the Republic of Zambia also requested to include the following:
- Radio communication and navigation systems
- Weather radar and transponder capabilities
- Qualification and transition training for pilots and maintainers
- In-country Contractor Field Service Representatives support
- Program Management Reviews
- Technical assistance and product support
- Associated aviation ground support equipment
- Peculiar ground support equipment and hardware
- Special tools
- Test equipment
- Basic issue items
- Quality Assurance Team inspections, inventories, validations, and ground run and flight test verification testing
- Air freight transportation delivery
- Initial spare, repair, and consumable parts
- Operator, maintenance, and technical manuals
- Technical and logistics support services
The cost will be funded by a combination of Foreign Military Financing and Zambian national funds.
The US said the proposed sale will support its foreign policy and national security by helping to improve the security of an important partner that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in South Central Africa.
It will also improve Zambia’s capability to conduct peacekeeping and regional security, disaster response, and humanitarian aid missions over long distances and in non-standard weather conditions. Zambia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.