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The US State Department has approved a possible US$103.9 million foreign military sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
The US Congress was notified of the possible foreign military sale by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 27 August. The potential sale includes recipients such as the NATO Support and Procurement Agency as an agent for Belgium, Italy and Romania.
The possible sale includes 96 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II or Block II+ tactical missiles (eight for Belgium, 24 for Italy and 64 for Romania) and 12 AIM-9X Block II or Block II+ tactical guidance units for Romania.
Other items include missile containers, US government engineering, technical, training and logistics support services, classified and unclassified publications and technical documents and other related elements of logistics and program support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of NATO allies that are a force for political stability and economic progress in the North Atlantic region,” according to a statement published by the US DSCA.
“The proposed sale will improve NATO’s capability to meet current and future threats by utilising air-to-air missiles and guidance units for its F-35 fleets in support of NATO’s defence mission. NATO will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
“Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to NATO; however, US government engineering and technical services may be required on an interim basis for technical assistance.”
RTX Corporation is expected to be the principal contractor.
