iscover
A sizeable sale of 63 extended-range, advanced anti-radiation guided missiles has been approved for Australia, by the US State Department in a deal worth an estimated $506 million.
The potential sale would also include 20 AARGM-ER captive air training missiles, AGM-88G AARGM-ER dummy air training missiles, containers, components, support equipment, software, engineering and other logistical support
US Congress was notified of the possible sale by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on February 27, while Northrop Grumman Information Systems has been selected as the main contractor.
“Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region,” a US public statement said.
“It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability.
“The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by suppressing and destroying land or sea-based radar emitters associated with enemy air defences.
“This capability denies the adversary the use of its air defence systems, thereby improving the survivability of Australia’s tactical aircraft. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
US government personnel will visit Australia to provide temporary technical advice, support and review.
The US State Department has also approved the possible sale of 600 Javelin missiles to the United Kingdom worth $125.13 million, as well as an additional $619 million sale of F-16 munitions to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office.
The TECRO in the US had requested to buy 100 AGM-88B high-speed anti-radiation missiles, 23 HARM training missiles, 200 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, four AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections and 26 LAU-129 multi-purpose launchers.
