The State Department has made a determination approving a Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Zambia of Bell 412 Enhanced Performance Exportable Medium-Lift Transport Helicopters and related logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $100 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Republic of Zambia has requested to buy Bell 412 Enhanced Performance exportable medium-lift transport helicopters; radio communication and navigation systems; weather radar and transponder capabilities; qualification and transition training for pilots and maintainers; in-country Contractor Field Service Representatives support; Program Management Reviews; technical assistance and product support; associated aviation ground support equipment; peculiar ground support equipment; hardware; special tools; test equipment; basic issue items; Quality Assurance Team inspections, inventories, validations, and ground run and flight test verification testing; air freight transportation delivery; initial spare, repair, and consumable parts; operator, maintenance, and technical manuals; technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $100 million, to be funded by a combination of Foreign Military Financing and Zambian national funds.

The proposed sale will improve Zambia’s capability to conduct peacekeeping and regional security, disaster response, and humanitarian aid missions over long distances and in non-standard weather conditions. Zambia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.