In the United States, the State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $103.9 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has issued the required certification, notifying Congress of this potential sale.
The NSPA Request
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), acting as an agent for Belgium, Italy, and Romania, has requested the purchase of up to ninety-six (96) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II or Block II+ tactical missiles (Belgium: 8; Italy: 24; Romania: 64) and twelve (12) AIM-9X Block II or Block II+ tactical guidance units (Romania).
Also included will be the following items: missile containers; engineering, technical, training, and logistical support services of the U.S. Government; classified and unclassified technical publications and documents and other related logistical and program support elements.
The proposed sale will enhance NATO’s ability to address current and future threats using air-to-air missiles and guidance units for its F-35 fleets in support of NATO’s defense mission.
The primary contractor will be RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia.
The implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to NATO; however, temporary U.S. Government technical and engineering services may be required for technical assistance.
Source Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
Photo credit @Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RTX Corporation)
