US oks $1,1Bn FMS for RNLAF AH-64Ds upgrade.

The US State Department yesterday approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands of items and services to support the upgrade/remanufacture of AH-64D Block II Apache Attack Helicopters to the AH-64E configuration for an estimated cost of $1.191 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on February 20, 2018.

A RNLAF AH-64D at Helidays 2017

The Netherlands has requested the possible sale of items and services to support the upgrade/remanufacture of 28 AH-64D Block II Apache Attack Helicopters to the AH-64E configuration to include upgrading 51 remaining T700-GE-701C Engines to T700-GE-701D (42 engines to be installed, 9 spares), 17 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radar (FCR) and subcomponents, 28 AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sights (MTADS)/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (PNVS), 28 AN/APR-48B Modernized Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI), and 70 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) plus Multi-Mode Receiver.

Non-MDE items and services to support the upgrade include helmets, simulators, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment.

"The proposed sale of the AH-64E remanufacture will improve the Netherlands' capability to meet current and future threats of enemy. The Netherlands will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats, and provide direct support to coalition and security cooperation efforts," the DSCA stated

The principal contractors are Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin.