US State Department approves FMS to Philippines of TH-73A training helicopters

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Philippines of TH-73A training helicopters and support, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 15 April 2025.

The potential sale, which is estimated to be worth USD 120 million (EUR 105.6 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.

The DSCA notice did not specify the number of TH-73A helicopters the Philippines has requested, but stated that the package also included a simulator; spare engines; aircraft hoists and lifts; commercial avionics and flight management systems; spare and repair parts; and various aspects of training, technical, logistics and programme support.

The TH-73A Thrasher is the military variant of the commercially available Leonardo AW119T. The type was first delivered to the US Navy in August 2021 and in US service is utilised for undergraduate rotary-wing and tilt-rotor pilot training for the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

“The proposed sale will improve the Philippines’ capability to meet current and future threats by providing an aircraft platform that will serve as the primary method of improving pilot training and skills, thus helping to ensure the development of a proficient rotary wing aviator corps,” the DSCA stated.

The principal contractor for a TH-73A sale to the Philippines will be AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (Leonardo), located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.