United States Department of Defense Memorandum for Correspondents On the web: Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131 Public contact: http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.html or +1 (703) 428-0711

The Department of Defense announced today the possible sale to the Government of Egypt of a possible upgrade of six CH-47C CHINOOK helicopters to the newer CH-47D configuration. The possible sale would include spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, communications equipment, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government Quality Assurance Team, contractor representatives, contractor engineering and technical support services, preparation of aircraft for shipment, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $203 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The Egyptian Armed Forces will use these helicopters for troop transport and logistics support. They may also be deployed in joint exercise with the United States such as Operation Bright Star.

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

The prime contractor will be Boeing Helicopter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. There are no offset agreements proposed to be entered into in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require an U.S. contractor representative for one year in-country and four additional U.S. contractor representatives for one week when the aircraft arrives. Up to eight U.S. Government Quality Assurance personnel will be required for one week following delivery of the helicopters.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

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