M88A2 Recovery Vehicle

The M88A2 HERCULES is the ideal recovery system to meet the Egyptian Land Forces' requirement for safe, effective recovery of its 70-ton main battle tanks. HERCULES delivers 25 percent more towing muscle, 40 percent more lifting strength, and 55 percent more winch power than the M88A1, and operates with fewer crewmembers, increasing capability in numerous ways for the Egyptian Land Forces.

On 10 November 1997 the Department of Defense announced the possible sale to the Government of Egypt of co-production of 50 M88A2 recovery vehicle kits, 53 M2 machine guns, 100 AN/PVS-7B night vision goggles, spare and repair parts, contractor technical support, support and test equipment, ammunition, publications, program management, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics services and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $197.9 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The proposed sale and co-production of these vehicles at their Factory 200, Egyptian Tank Plant, will support the 555 M1A2 tanks in their inventory. The M88A2 recovery vehicles will be used for towing, winching, and hoisting operations supporting recovery operations and evacuation of heavy tanks and other tracked combat vehicles. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor was United Defense, Limited Partnership, York, Pa. There are no offset agreements proposed to be entered into in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale did not require the assignment of any contractor representatives. United Defense LP, Ground Systems Division, York, Pa., was awarded a $12,882,991 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for manufacturing technical assistance in support of Egypt co-production of 50 M88A2 Hercules vehicles. Work will be performed in Cairo, Egypt (60%), and York, Pa. (40%), and was expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2002.

In May 2001 United Defense was awarded a $21.8 million modification to a Foreign Military Sales contract for the co-production of 13 M88A2 HERCULES improved recovery vehicles for the Land Forces of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Production of these vehicles will follow United Defense's current 50-vehicle M88A2 co-production effort with the Egyptian Tank Plant in Cairo. The contract, from the U.S. Army's Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, incorporates an earlier modification for long-lead items in anticipation of this award.