WASHINGTON, September 9, 2008 The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Finland of an F-18 Mid-Life Upgrade Program as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $406 million.
The Government of Finland has requested a possible sale for the third phase of the F-18 Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Program, consisting of F-18C/D Fleet Retrofit Kits of the following systems: 79 Multifunctional Information Display Systems/Low Volume Terminals (MIDS/LVT), 70 AN/ARC-210 (RT-1851A(c)) Radios, including Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS), 75 AN/AYQ-9(V) Stores Management System Upgrades, 72 MIDS Electronic Interference Blanking Units, 72 Color Cockpit Displays, 70 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS) Laser Helmet Shields, 1 AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) Captive Air Training Missile, 15 AGM-154C JSOW missiles, and 1 Lot JHMCS Spares. The proposed program support includes recorders, receivers, devices, Joint Mission Planning system upgrades, software test and integration center upgrades, engineering change proposals, component improvement program, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $406 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 Europe.
The Finnish Air Force (FAF) intends to purchase the MLU Program equipment to enhance survivability and communications connectivity and to extend the useful life of its F-18 fighter aircraft. It has extensive experience operating the F-18 aircraft and should have no difficulties incorporating the upgraded capabilities into its forces. The FAF needs this upgrade to keep pace with high tech advances in sensors, weaponry, and communications.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company of St. Louis, Missouri. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Finland for approximately four months to provide technical support for equipment preparation, installation and testing, and checkout.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.
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