Ecuador may get Kaman SH-2G Seasprites for drugs ASW ops....

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/ ... _11-30.pdf

Ecuador – SH-2G Helicopters

WASHINGTON, September 27, 2011 --

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ecuador of refurbishment of 2 SH-2G Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $60 million.

The Government of Ecuador has requested a possible sale for the refurbishment of two SH-2G Helicopters being provided as grant Excess Defense Articles (EDA) to be modified for operational use.

The two EDA aircraft will also be modified to include the following: HELRAS Helicopter Dipping SONAR, AAQ-22 Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR), AN/APS-143C (V) 3 RADAR, ARC-210 UHF Radio, APX-72 Transponder, AN/ARN-147 VOR/ILS, AN/ARN-149 Receiver (ADF), HF-9000 HF Radio, ASN-150 Tactical Navigation Set,
spare and repair parts, support and test equipment,
publications and technical documentation,
personnel training and training equipment,
U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services,
and other related elements of logistical and program support.
The estimated cost is $60 million.

The proposed sale will improve Ecuador’s capability to meet current and future anti-ship threats.

The helicopters will perform antisubmarine warfare (ASW), antisurface warfare, search and rescue (SAR), and logistics support missions for the Ecuadorian Navy.

They will improve Ecuador’s ability to participate in the Maritime Multinational Operations with the U.S. Navy,
will enhance Ecuador’s control of its territorial sea and exclusive economic zone,
and will increase the Ecuadorian Navy’s SAR capabilities,
further reducing Ecuador’s dependency on the United States in case of emergencies.

Additionally, these specialized ASW Helicopters would constitute a highly effective system to search, track, and destroy the mini-submarines used for illegal drug trafficking. Similar items have not previously been provided to Ecuador.

The prime contractor will be Kaman Corporation of Bloomfield, CT. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Ecuador.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... bs-362694/

Ecuador eyes SH-2Gs to counter drug-smuggling mini-subs

08:50 29 Sep 2011

The Ecuadorian navy has expressed new interest in bolstering its helicopter fleet with a potential acquisition of two Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprites previously retired by the US Navy.

The possible sale was announced on 27 September by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which is required to seek approval from Congress before selling military equipment to foreign countries.

If the deal is signed, Kaman would refurbish two SH-2Gs, with an estimated cost of $60 million.

That amount includes integrating several new systems, including the L-3 Communications Helras sonar, Telephonics' APS-143C(V)3 radar and the FLIR Systems AAQ-22 forward-looking infrared sensor.

The USA wants Ecuador to use the helicopters to fight against drug smugglers with increasingly sophisticated capabilities.

The SH-2Gs would be a "highly effective system to search, track and destroy the mini-submarines used for illegal drug trafficking", the agency said.