France - C-130J Aircraft

November 10, 2015

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to France for C-130J aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $650 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of France has requested a possible sale of:

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

• Two (2) C-130J aircraft with Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines
• Two (2) KC-130J aircraft with Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines
• Four (4) Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (spares)

Non-Major Defense Equipment (Non-MDE):

• Six (6) AN/ALE 47 Electronic Countermeasure Dispensers (1 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
• Six (6) AN/AAR-47A(V)2 Missile Warning Systems (1 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
• Six (6) AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receivers (1 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
• Ten (10) Embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation Systems (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
• Ten (10) AN/ARC-210 Radios (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
• Ten (10) AN/ARC-164 UHF/VF Radios (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
• Two (2) HF Voice Radios
• Ten (10) KY-100 Secure Voice Terminals (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
• Ten (10) KYV-5 Secure Voice Equipment Units (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)

Also provided are support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated MDE value is $355 million. The total overall estimated value is $650 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the capability of a NATO ally. It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist the French Air Force to increase its airlift, air refueling, and air drop capabilities. These aircraft will provide these capabilities and will be used to support national, NATO, United Nations, and other coalition operations. Providing these aircraft to the French Air Force will greatly increase interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and the French Air Force, as well as other NATO allies.

The C-130Js will provide critical transport, airdrop, and resupply to thousands of French troops in support of current and future operations. The KC-130Js will provide crucial air refueling capability to France's fighter aircraft, light transport aircraft, and helicopters. France will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

France requests that Lockheed Martin be the sole source provider for the C-130J aircraft. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale may require multiple trips for U.S. contractor representatives to France and potentially to deployed locations to provide initial launch, recovery, and maintenance support.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Source : Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)