The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Argentina of Beechcraft T-6C+ Trainer Aircraft Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $73 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major Non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in South America. It is in the U.S. national interest to assist Argentina in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.
In October 2017, the Argentine Air Force received the first four of 12 Beechcraft T-6C+ aircraft purchased from Textron Aviation and a further two in June 2018. The proposed renewal of T-6 aircraft support will provide the Government of Argentina with the capability to meet current and future threats by revitalizing Argentina’s trainer aircraft capabilities and to aid in the overall development of a professional pilot corps. Argentina is committed to modernizing its military and will have no difficulty absorbing the additional sustainment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Textron Aviation Defense, Wichita, KS. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
The Government of Argentina has requested to buy follow-on sustainment and support of their T-6 Texan aircraft fleet, to include the following aircraft hardware and software modifications and support: major and minor modifications include airframe and avionics improvements for reliability and integration of training munitions and external fuel tanks; aircraft and engine support equipment, components, consumables, spare parts and repair/return; publications and technical documentation; heavy maintenance support; other U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services, and related elements of program support.
The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engine turboprop aircraft built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company (Textron Aviation since 2014). A trainer aircraft based on the Pilatus PC-9, the T-6 has replaced the United States Air Force’s Cessna T-37B Tweet and the United States Navy’s T-34C Turbo Mentor. The T-6A is used by the United States Air Force for basic pilot training and Combat Systems Officer (CSO) training, the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps for primary Naval Aviator training and primary and intermediate Naval Flight Officer (NFO) training, and by the Royal Canadian Air Force (CT-156 Harvard II designation), Greek Air Force, Israeli Air Force (with the “Efroni” nickname), and Iraqi Air Force for basic flight training. The T-6B is the primary trainer for U.S. student naval aviators (SNAs). The T-6C is used for training by the Mexican Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Moroccan Air Force, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
