The Government of United Kingdom has requested a possible sale for training and logistics support in support of a potential direct commercial lease of up to four USAF standard Lot XII Boeing C-17A Globemaster III cargo aircraft. This proposed sale includes one spare engine, spare and repair parts, support equipment, modification kits, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services and other related elements of program support. The estimated total cost is $210 million.
This proposed case will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the military capabilities of United Kingdom in fulfillment of its NATO obligations; furthering NATO rationalization, standardization, and interoperability; and enhancing the defense of the Western Alliance.
The inability to rapidly deploy European forces during the Bosnia and Kosovo campaigns to forward area unprepared runways highlighted the need for additional NATO strategic airlift. In addition, the United Kingdom's 1998 Strategic Defence Review expressly stated the requirement for "four C-17 or equivalent" strategic airlift aircraft by 2001 for movement of "outsize and oversize" cargo. The C-17 will greatly enhance interoperability and commonality with the U.S. and provide UK and NATO forces with rapid global strategic mobility into austere locations. The UK will have no difficulty absorbing these services into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of these support services will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be the Boeing Co. of Long Beach, Calif. There are no offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of a Mobile Training Team to the United Kingdom for up to six months to assist in the delivery of the aircraft. There will be 14 contractor representatives in country to conduct contractor-provided training, logistics support, and engineering technical services for up to nine years after initial aircraft delivery.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
