US Approves Australia's First Purchase of Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles for Super Hornet Jets

The United States has approved Australia's request to purchase 200 AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs) for its F-18 Super Hornet fighters in a contact estimated to be worth $990 million.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of up to two hundred (200) AGM-158C, Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $990 million," Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement last week.

"This is Australia's first purchase of the missiles," DSCA said.

The Government of Australia had requested to buy up to two hundred (200) AGM-158C, Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs); and up to eleven (11) ATM-158C LRASM Telemetry Variant (Inert).  Also included are DATM-158C LRASM, Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM-158C LRASM), containers, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor representatives technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

Australia intends to use the missiles on its F-18 aircraft and will provide enhanced capabilities in defense of critical sea-lanes.

The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Florida.  There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.