The United States Department of State has given its approval for a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Finland involving advanced AIM-120D-3 medium-range air-to-air missiles and related equipment at an estimated cost of 1.07 billion dollars.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has issued the required certification and notified it to Congress.
The Finnish Request
The Government of Finland has requested to purchase up to 405 advanced AIM-120D-3 air-to-air medium-range missiles (AMRAAM) and 8 AIM-120D-3 guidance sections.
The Finnish request also includes equipment, containers, spare parts, technical documentation, and technical-training support provided by the U.S. Government and the principal contractor.
The proposed sale will enhance Finland’s ability to address current and future threats and will improve its interoperability with U.S. forces and other allies.
The AIM-120D-3 missile will arm the Finnish Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornets and subsequently F-35A Lightning II aircraft. Finland has ordered 64 F-35A fighters from Lockheed Martin.
The Role of the U.S. Government and the Contractor
The main contractor will be RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia. At present, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in relation to this potential sale.
The implementation of this sales proposal will not require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives in Finland.
The AIM-120D-3
The AIM-120D3 is the latest variant of the advanced medium-range air-to-air AMRAAM missile developed by Raytheon Technologies (RTX).
The AIM-120D3 is equipped with upgraded hardware, including 15 updated circuit boards developed through model-based systems engineering initiatives under the Form, Fit, Function Refresh program and uses the latest System Improvement Program (SIP)-3F software.
Equipped with a more powerful propulsion system, improved guidance system, and advanced data link, the AIM-120D3 missile delivers an increased capability to engage the full range of modern airborne threats, being prepared to receive continuous software enhancements.
Source Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
Photo credit @RTX
