Khaama Press, Nov 26 2015, 8:53 am
A contract worth $70 million has been awarded to a US-based company for the procurement of eight ScanEagle drones for the government of Afghanistan, it has been reported.
According to the US Department of Defense (MoD), the systems include 65 ScanEagle drones in total, along with spare parts, support equipment, field service support, as well as an in-theatre training facility.
“Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, is being awarded a $70,941,310 firm-fixed-price delivery order (0011) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N68335-11-G-0009) for the procurement of eight ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems for the government of Afghanistan under the Foreign Military Sales program,” according to an announcement by DoD.
It also added “These systems consist of 65 ScanEagle Air Vehicles, spares, support equipment, field service support, establishment of an in theatre ScanEagle training facility and training.”
According to DoD, 80 percent of the work will be performed in Bingen, Washington and is expected to be completed by June 2018.
“Afghanistan Security Forces funds in the amount of $53,205,982 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity,” the announcement added.
The delivery of the unmanned aircraft systems could play a key role in maintaining security in Afghanistan as the Afghan security forces have taken full security lead from the NATO-led coalition security forces last year.
The Afghan national security forces are in critical need of air support amid deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.
Afghan forces to receive 65 ScanEagle drones from United States
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