U.S. says S'pore wants helicopters

U.S. says S'pore wants helicopters

WASHINGTON (Reuters): The Pentagon said yesterday Singapore wanted to buy US$620 million in U.S. Apache attack helicopters, missiles and other high-tech military equipment for the aircraft.

The announcement followed Singapore's promise in January to let U.S. aircraft carriers, submarines and other warships use a planned $35 million naval base for port visits and maintenance, beginning in 2000.

Included in the potential sale would be eight AH-64D Apache attack helicopters built by Boeing Co. and 216 Hellfire laser- guided missiles made by a consortium of Boeing and Lockheed Martin Corp., the Defense Department said.

The Apaches are powered by General Electric Co. engines. The sale would include two spare engines, the Pentagon said. Besides the sophisticated Hellfire missiles, the planned package will include 9,120 Hydra-70 rockets built by General Dynamics Corp.