US State Department approves possible FMS of L3Harris radios and accessories to Belgium

L3Harris' AN/PRC-163 multi-channel handheld radio. (L3Harris)

The US Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (BPMA) announced on 25 March that it had approved a possible foreign military sale (FMS) of communications equipment for Belgium.

Belgium requested to buy L3Harris' AN/PRC-163 radios; AN/PRC-167 radios; AN/PRC-160 radios; KIK-11 tactical key loader, dismount kit, and batteries; AN/PRC-160 accessories, dismount kit, vehicular integration, batteries, and training; AN/PRC-163 ancillaries, batteries, and dismount accessories; AN/PRC-167 ancillaries, batteries, and dismount accessories; RF-9820S radio and dismount accessories; and radio specific audio, power, and configuration accessories.

The estimated total cost of USD156.1 million combines previous sales of the same equipment, according to a 25 March Congressional notification. The notification includes USD86.95 million for “previous Foreign Military Sales cases”, indicating that the latest additional cost for the communications equipment is approximately USD69 million.

The previous foreign military sales cases of non-major defence equipment, according to the BPMA, were valued at USD86.95 million and include AN/PRC-117G radios; AN/PRC-152A radios; AN/PRC-160 radios; AN/PRC-158 radios; AN/PRC-163 radios, as well as accessories and training. L3 Harris, the maker of the above radios, was identified as the principal contractor.

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