Tunisia – AT-6 Light Attack Aircraft

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia of four (4) AT-6C Wolverine Light Attack Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $325.8 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on yesterday.

The Government of Tunisia has requested to buy four (4) AT-6C Wolverine Light Attack Aircraft with supporting equipment, to include: three hundred twelve (312) MAU-169 Computer Control Groups (CCG); three hundred twelve (312) MXU-1006/B Air Foil Groups (AFG); four hundred sixty-eight (468) MK81 250 LB GP bombs; eighteen (18) BDU-50s (MK-82 Filled Inert); sixty-six (66) MXU-650 C/B Air Foil Groups (AFG), GBU-12; sixty (60) Guidance Section, guided bombs, MAU-209, GBU-10,12,16; forty-eight (48) MK-82 500lb bombs; five hundred sixteen (516) FMU-152 A/B fuzes; eighteen (18) MAU-169H(D-2)/B Computer Control Groups; and three thousand two hundred ninety (3,290) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS); two (2) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68D 1600 SHP engines (spares); six (6) L-3 WESCAM MX 15D Multi-Spectral Targeting System; six (6) Machine Gun Caliber .50; Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Device (CAD/PAD); High Explosive Warhead; bomb components, repair and return of weapons, weapons training equipment, practice bombs, TTU 595 Test Set and spares, fin assemblies, rocket motors, training aids/devices/spare parts, aircraft spare parts, support equipment, clothing and textiles, publications and technical documentation, travel expenses, medical services, construction, aircraft ferry support, technical and logistical support services, major modifications/class IV support, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor program support, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated value is $325.8 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the defense capabilities and capacity of a major non-NATO ally, which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa. This potential sale will provide additional opportunities for bilateral engagements and further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Tunisia.

The proposed sale will improve Tunisia’s ability to meet current and future threats by increasing their capability and capacity to counter-terrorism and other violent extremist organization threats. The AT-6 platform will bolster their capability to respond to and engage threats in multiple areas across the country. Additionally, the procurement of the AT-6 aircraft strengthens interoperability between Tunisia, regional allies, and the United States. Tunisia will have no difficulty absorbing this aircraft into its armed forces.

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

The prime contractor will be Textron Aviation Defense LLC, Wichita, Kansas. There are no known offset agreements proposed with this potential sale. However, the purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of two (2) U.S. contractor logistics representatives to Tunisia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

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