The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Argentina of Basler BT-67 transport aircraft, the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on 18 April 2024.
The DSCA noted that the estimated value of the sale is USD 143 million (EUR 134 million), while a spokesman for the US State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs confirmed to ESD on 24 April that Argentina has the option to purchase up to five BT-67s under this FMS deal.
The proposed FMS contract includes spare engines; spares and repair parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return services; major modifications and maintenance support; aircraft and ground handling equipment; technical documentation; Technical Coordination Program participation fees; studies and surveys; ferry and transportation; personnel training and training equipment; US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The BT-67 is essentially a remanufactured Douglas C-47 fitted with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-6R7 turboprops. Wisconsin-based Basler Turbo Conversions was founded in 1990 with a sole focus on converting existing C-47 airframes into the BT-67. The Douglas C-47 first flew in December 1941; more than 10,000 were produced between March 1943 and August 1945.
Military operators of the Basler BT-67 include Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mali, Mauritania and Thailand.
The DSCA stated that the BT-67 sale to Argentina will improve its “capability to meet current and future threats by providing additional capacity for airdrop and airlift operations to service Antarctica during the winter season”, adding that this “will reduce the burden on other airlift assets in Argentina”.
