US Department of State approves possible sale of anti-radiation missiles to Australia

[Zarvan]

The first of 12 RAAF EA-18G Growlers is towed into position ahead of its reveal to the press at the Avalon Airshow 2017. The US state department recently approved the sale of anti-radiation missiles to arm the RAAF's Growlers. Source: IHS Markit/Gareth Jennings

The US Department of State has approved a possible USD137.6 million foreign military sale of anti-radiation missiles and related support to Australia to arm the latter's EA-18G Growler electronic attack (EA) aircraft, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a 28 April statement.

The Australian government had requested a possible sale of up to 70 AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs), up to 40 AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGMs), up to 16 HARM captive air training missiles, and up to 16 AARGM captive air training missiles, according to the DSCA.

Canberra had also requested up to 25 AGM-88B control sections, up to 25 AGM-88B guidance sections, up to 20 AGM-88E control sections, up to 20 AGM-88E guidance sections, and up to 48 telemetry/flight termination systems.

The sale would also include US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other associated support equipment and services.

The prime contractors would be Orbital ATK and Raytheon Missile Systems.

There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale, said the statement.

As Jane's reported in late February, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) showcased at the Avalon Airshow 2017 the first of 12 Boeing EA-18G Growlers that it is to receive from the United States.

With the remaining 11 Growlers set to be delivered to the RAAF before the end of the year, the service will formally stand up the type in 2018.

These platforms will later be supplemented by five modified Gulfstream G550s that will provide a long-range EA support capability.

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