Taiwan will buy 6 UH-72A Lakota military light utility helicopters from United States 2206131.

The Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of 6 UH-72A Lakota Helicopters, spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, publications and technical documentation, Aviation Mission Planning Station, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $77 million.

The UH-72A Lakota is a military version of the Eurocopter EC145 helicopter and is built by American Eurocopter division of EADS North America. A version of the technologically advanced and proven EC145 multi-mission helicopter, the UH-72A benefits from demonstrated performance in roles that range from law enforcement and emergency medical transportation to search and rescue (SAR), offshore utility operations and corporate transport.

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 Southeast Asia.

This proposed sale will contribute to Thailand's goal to upgrade and modernize its military forces with a new light utility helicopter capable of meeting requirements for rotary-wing transportation, while further enhancing greater interoperability between Thailand the U.S., and among other allies. Thailand will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

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

The principal contractor will be EADS North America, in Herndon, Virginia. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Thailand for a period of five weeks for equipment de-processing/fielding, system checkout and new equipment training and a Contractor Furnished Service Representative (CFSR) for a period of one year