Mexico’s president-elect says he’ll stop $1.2B purchase of Lockheed helicopters

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he will cancel the pending purchase by Mexico’s navy of eight armed Lockheed Martin MH-60R helicopters from the United States government.

Lopez Obrador mentioned nixing the planned $1.2 billion deal Wednesday as an example of extensive cost-cutting measures his government will undertake.

In April, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of the helicopters, saying it would improve the security of a strategic regional partner. In its statement then, it said the helicopters would help Mexico fight criminal organizations.

The State Department’s Bureau of Political Military Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of the proposed sale.

- FWBP Digital Partners -

Lopez Obrador won Mexico’s July 1 election in a landslide. He is to take office Dec. 1.