Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion

Written on September 10, 2008 – 9:46 am | by Frontier India Strategic and Defence |

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency on September 9, 2008, notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sales that includes HARPOON Block II Missiles to India. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $170 million. The possible sale might include 20 AGM-84L HARPOON Block II missiles; 4 ATM-84L HARPOON Block II Exercise missiles; containers; training devices; spare and repair parts; supply/technical support; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; technical data and publications; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support.

India intends to use the HARPOON missiles to modernize its Air Force Anti-Surface Warfare mission capabilities and improve its naval operational flexibility. The missiles will assist the Indian Navy to develop and enhance standardization and operational ability with the United States.

Israel of Patriot Missile Fire Unit Upgrades is expected to cost $164 million. It includes 3 PATRIOT System Configuration 3 Modification kits to upgrade 3 PATRIOT fire units to Radar Enhancement Phase 3 (REP-3) and Classification, Discrimination and Identification Phase 3 (CDI-3). Non-MDE includes communication support equipment, tools and test equipment, integration and checkout, spares and repair parts, installation and training, publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The Government of Israel has also requested a possible sale of 28,000 M72A7 66mm Light Anti-Armor Weapons (LAAWs), 60,000 M72AS 21mm Sub-Caliber Training Rockets, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $89 million.

Kuwait has requested 120 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 78 LAU-127-B/A Launchers, 78 LAU-127-C/A Launchers, Captive Air Training Missiles, missile containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government (USG) and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $178 million.

Finland has requested a possible sale for the third phase of the F-18 Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Program, consisting of F-18C/D Fleet Retrofit Kits of the following systems: 79 Multifunctional Information Display Systems/Low Volume Terminals (MIDS/LVT), 70 AN/ARC-210 (RT-1851A(c)) Radios, including Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS), 75 AN/AYQ-9(V) Stores Management System Upgrades, 72 MIDS Electronic Interference Blanking Units, 72 Color Cockpit Displays, 70 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS) Laser Helmet Shields, 1 AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) Captive Air Training Missile, 15 AGM-154C JSOW missiles, and 1 Lot JHMCS Spares. The proposed program support includes recorders, receivers, devices, Joint Mission Planning system upgrades, software test and integration center upgrades, engineering change proposals, component improvement program, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $406 million.

The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of 12 AH-64D Block II APACHE Longbow Helicopters, 30 T700-GE-701D Engines, 12 Modernized Targeting Acquisition and Designation Systems/Pilot Night Vision Sensors, 4 each AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars and AN/APR-48 Radar Frequency Interferometers, 28 M299 HELLFIRE Longbow Missile Launchers, 12 AN/ALQ-144C(V)3 Infrared Jammers, 12 AN/APR-39A(V)4 Radar Signal Detecting Sets, 12 AN/ALQ-136(V)5 Radar Jammers, 12 AAR-57(V)3/5 Common Missile Warning Systems, 36 Improved Countermeasures Dispensers, and 12 AN/AVR-2B Laser Warning Sets. Also included: composite horizontal stabilators, Integrated Helmet and Display Sight Systems, repair and return, transportation, depot maintenance, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor technical support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $598 million. Saudi Arabia will use the AH-64D for its national security, and protecting its borders and oil infrastructure. The aircraft will provide the Saudi military more advanced targeting and engagement capabilities. The proposed sale will provide for the defense of vital installations and will provide close air support for the Saudi military ground forces. This sale also will increase the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) APACHE sustainability and interoperability with the U.S. Air Force, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and other coalition air forces.

Sale to Egypt is expected to include 6,900 TOW 2A anti-armor guided missiles, plus 28 fly-to-buy missiles. Also included are the containers, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $319 million. Egypt needs these TOW 2A missiles to replenish its aging inventory.