US Approves $1.22 Billion AMRAAM Missiles To Australia

The US state department has approved sale of AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and associated equipment, training, and support estimated to cost $1.22 billion to Australia.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 21, 2016.

The Government of Australia had requested a possible sale of Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Up to 450 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AIM-120D), Up to 34 AIM-120D Air Vehicles Instrumented (AAVI), Up to 6 Instrumented Test Vehicles (ITVs) and Up to 10 spare AIM-120 Guidance Sections (GSs), DSCA said in a statement Monday.

This request also includes the following Non-MDE: containers, weapon system support equipment, support and test equipment, site survey, transportation, repair and return warranties, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training, and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

The total estimated value of MDE is $1.08 billion. The total overall estimated value is $1.22 billion.

This proposed sale is in support of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F/A-18, E/A-18G, and F-35 aircraft. This proposed sale will provide the RAAF additional air-to-air intercept capability and increase interoperability with the U.S. Air Force. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.