Lebanon seeks six Huey II helicopters from US

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a possible sale of six Huey II helicopters to Lebanon.
The estimated $63m foreign military sale (FMS) programme includes possible sale of spare and repair parts, maintenance and support equipment.

The proposed package also includes equipment, parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, repair, logistics support services as well as other related elements of logistics support.

According to the notification, the sale is expected to provide mobility capabilities required by Lebanon to maintain internal security, enforce United Nation’s Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701 as well as to counter terrorist threats while serving the US national, economic, and security interests.

The potential sale of Huey II helicopters will supplement Lebanon’s aging fleet of UH-1H aircraft, and also enables Lebanon to meet requirements of the internal and border security threats, evacuations, search and rescue, and drug interdiction operations.

Bell Helicopter will serve as prime contractor.

Powered by Honeywell T53-L-703 engine, the Huey II helicopter features enhanced Shaft Horsepower to 1,800 with the T53-L-703 upgrade package to provide increased lifting capabilities.

Capable of equipping a wide array of instrumentation and avionics, the aircraft also features new main and tail rotor hub assemblies and blades as well as 2,269kg cargo lifting capability and a useful load of 2,210kg.