Tokyo seeks to acquire nine more KC-46As, along with 18 turbofan engines, 16 radar warning receivers, and 33 infrared countermeasure suites, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announcement.

The request includes missile warning sensors, identification friend-or-foe transponders, and communications equipment to be integrated into the aircraft.

The potential deal will also cover spare parts, personnel training, training equipment, and engineering and logistics support services.

Once finalized, it will expand Japan’s KC-46A fleet to 15, complementing the four currently in operation and the two additional aircraft already ordered.

Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, RTX, and Northrop Grumman will be the principal contractors.

‘Supporting National Security Objectives’

Powered by two high-bypass turbofan engines, the KC-46A boasts a fuel capacity of 212,000 pounds (96,161 kilograms) and can refuel most fixed-wing aircraft.

It has a refueling boom driven by a fly-by-wire control system for seamless transfer of fuel mid-air.

It is also equipped with a sophisticated self-protection system to allow it to perform its missions in contested environments.

According to the DSCA, the expansion of Tokyo’s KC-46A fleet is expected to support the national security objectives of the US by bolstering the security of a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region.

It will also improve the Asian nation’s aerial refueling and passenger transport capabilities, contributing to a stronger deterrence against current and emerging threats.

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The contract, which must still be approved by the US Congress, covers Bucharest’s purchase of 32 F-35A aircraft and related equipment, produced by the US aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe,” a State Department statement said.

The contract announcement comes as Ukrainian pilots began training this week at a special center in Romania on F-16s, US-made fighter jets that Washington has approved Kyiv to use to repel Russia’s invasion.

Romania occupies a strategic position at the gateway to Ukraine and the Black Sea, and aims to become an international hub for F-16 training.

It inaugurated an F-16 training center at its Fetesti air base in November 2023, pledging to also train Ukrainians there.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu on Thursday, thanking Bucharest for delivering a Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine.

The State Department also announced the approval on Friday of a $4.1 billion sale to Japan of a KC-46A aerial refueling tanker.

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Last year, the United States had made the release of part of this annual aid conditional on progress being made on respecting human rights in Egypt, a country where ruler Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been accused of suppressing dissent.

This year, however, the State Department said Egypt had made “progress” in certain areas of human rights. It also explicitly mentioned Cairo’s help in mediating between Israel and Palestinian armed group Hamas on the war in Gaza.

“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, particularly to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza,” a State Department spokesman said.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar are parties to the negotiations for the release of the hostages held by Hamas since its attack on Israel on October 7, and on the cessation of a subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands.

The State Department spokesperson also spoke of Egypt’s role “in promoting a ceasefire in Sudan,” where a civil war has been raging for more than 16 months.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the budget allocation in a memo to Congress, as required by US law.

Washington regularly criticizes Egypt’s human rights record and has conditioned part of its annual military aid. Last year, Washington suspended around $95 million in aid on the grounds of human rights concerns.

Since 2022, Egyptian President Sisi has relaunched a “national dialogue” and released hundreds of political prisoners, but human rights activists say at least three times as many people have been arrested in the same period.

A key US ally, Egypt still holds tens of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom live in extremely harsh conditions, according to NGOs.

“In certifying that Egypt has fulfilled the conditions, the United States is acknowledging steps the Egyptians have already taken” on human rights, the State Department spokesperson said.

They cited draft legislation on judicial reforms and the release of more than 950 political prisoners since September 2023, among other steps.

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Valued at $133 million, the potential foreign military sale covers 54 AMRAAM missiles, two guidance sections, control section spares, and missile containers.

It also includes weapon system support, training support, and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the sale will help Singapore maintain its operational readiness amid increasing threats in the Indo-Pacific.

It will also increase the country’s effectiveness in both training and combat operations.

RTX will serve as the principal contractor should Singapore proceed with the order.

‘Air Dominance Weapon’

The AMRAAM is a new generation weapon capable of hitting beyond-visual-range targets at a reported range of 160 kilometers (99 miles).

It is described as one of the most sophisticated air dominance weapons, registering multiple air-to-air combat victories, according to RTX.

The missile utilizes a combination of inertial guidance and an on-board active radar to reach its intended target and perform an intercept.

It has been integrated into various combat aircraft, including F-15 Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and F/A-18 Super Hornets.

The DSCA said allowing Singapore to procure the AMRAAM will enable the US to improve the security of a strategic partner, which is considered an “important force” for stability in Asia.

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With an estimated cost of $390 million, the potential sale includes 24 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)-Alternative Warhead Pods and 24 GMLRS-Unitary High Explosive Pods.

It also includes 10 M1152 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and 36 GPS receivers.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale will help improve Croatia’s capability to deter current and future security threats.

It will also “support the foreign policy and national security of the US by improving the security of a NATO ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”

The DSCA has confirmed that the sale will not adversely affect US defense readiness if it proceeds.

Strategic Importance

The M142 HIMARS is a truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher system capable of carrying a six-pack of GMLRS rockets or two Precision Strike Missiles.

It has a reported range of 300 kilometers (186 miles), which can be extended to 500 kilometers (310 miles) using advanced munitions.

With its long-range capability, the weapon could be of strategic importance to Croatia, given the geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Balkans.

Currently, Zagreb relies on the M-92 Vulkan Multiple Launch Rocket System as its primary artillery rocket system, despite only having a strike range of 20 kilometers (12 miles).

The post US Clears $390M HIMARS Sale to Croatia appeared first on The Defense Post.

An unveiling ceremony was held at a company facility in Texas, with Polish deputy national defense ministers Paweł Bejda and Cezary Tomczyk in attendance.

According to Lockheed, this “significant milestone” for Warsaw will further strengthen the alliance between the two NATO countries.

It will also boost the European nation’s ability to defend its borders amid the increased tensions in the region.

“I am proud to be part of history today, introducing the F-35 as the next generation, which will protect and defend Poland’s future for many years,” Polish Air Force official Major General Ireneusz Nowak said.

In 2019, Poland ordered 32 F-35 combat jets from the US in a $4.6 billion deal.

Witnessed a historic moment today on #PolishAviationDay! The first #Poland‘s F-35A Lightning II, #Husarz, was unveiled at @LockheedMartin in Fort Worth. This 5th-gen fighter will revolutionize the #PolishArmy and strengthen #NATO. Proud to be part of this milestone! pic.twitter.com/vk8bYvwsSy

— Andrzej Fafara (@AndrzejFafara) August 29, 2024

‘Powerful Force Multiplier’

A fifth-generation aircraft, the F-35A is the US Air Force’s replacement for the legacy F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt.

It features state-of-the-art sensors, tactical data links, and armaments that make it a “powerful force multiplier” for militaries worldwide.

According to Lockheed Martin official Greg Ulmer, the F-35 will be critical in ensuring that Warsaw is able to effectively deter and defeat threats to its national security.

Follow along with Poland’s first F-35 as it’s brought to life!

We’re one step closer to revealing Poland’s F-35A “Husarz”. How close? Next Wednesday, in fact. pic.twitter.com/lGND5XQMfe

— F-35 Lightning II (@thef35) August 23, 2024

Tomczyk also highlighted the important role the new warplanes will play, as Poland is the only country in the world with a common border with Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

“In order to keep these borders as they are, we need the best equipment, the best capabilities, and the best friends,” he said. “And as my American friends often say: ‘A true friend is the one who arrives when the rest of the world walks away.’”

Once delivered, Poland will become the first F-35 operator in Eastern Europe.

The post Lockheed Rolls Out Poland’s First F-35 Fighter Jet appeared first on The Defense Post.

Along with the AMRAAMS, Bucharest also requested four AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections and related items, including AIM-120 Captive Air Training Missiles, missile containers, propulsion sections, control sections, telemetry kits, and warhead spares.

To Enhance F-16’s Combat Capability

The estimated $592 million potential sale will improve the air-to-air capability of the Romanian Air Force’s F-16 fleet, enhancing its capacity to defend its airspace against potential incursions.

The potential sale will improve Romania’s capability to “conduct self-defense and regional security missions while enhancing interoperability with the US and other NATO members,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.

A total of 300 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles have already been approved for sale by the US State Department for Romania.

The AIM-9X is a short-range air-to-air missile outfitted on aircraft such as the F-16.

Romania’s F-16 Fleet Acquisition

Romania bought a total of 32 used F-16s from Norway after retiring its fleet of Soviet-era Mig-21s in 2023.

It will enhance Romania’s fleet of 17 F-16s bought earlier from Portugal.

The used aircraft will be serviced before induction, for which the US has already approved the sale of modernization equipment and services for an estimated $105 million.

The post US Approves $592 Million Sale of AMRAAM Missiles to Romania appeared first on The Defense Post.

Oslo requested 100 AMRAAM-ERs and four AMRAAM AIM-120C-8 guidance sections for an estimated $405 million.

The potential purchase also includes AMRAAM containers and support equipment, spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support.

For Norwegian NASAMS

The AMRAAM-ER is intended to supplement and replace Air Intercept Missile 120B (AIM-120B) AMRAAMs being used for the ground-based air defense system Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS).

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.

The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation in Tucson, Arizona, and there are no known offset agreements with this potential sale.

AMRAAM-ER Variant Tested

Raytheon earlier this year tested an upgraded AMRAAM-ER variant featuring AIM-120C-8 guidance section for NASAMS.

It also features Nammo’s more robust 10-inch rocket motor, and Kongsberg’s 10-inch Control Actuator System, called the Norwegian Propulsion Stack.

Raytheon and Kongsberg have been developing the AMRAAM-ER variant since 2015. The extended range variant features a greater range and altitude than its predecessors.

The post US Approves Sale of 100 AMRAAM Missiles for Norwegian NASAMS appeared first on The Defense Post.

New Delhi requested the purchase of AN/SSQ-53G high altitude anti-submarine warfare (HAASW), AN/SSQ-62F HAASW, and AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys.

Sonobuoys are small expendable sonar buoys dropped from aircraft and vessels for anti-submarine warfare or underwater acoustic research.

To Enhance MH-60R Capability

The equipment will enhance the anti-submarine capacity of the Indian Navy’s MH-60R helicopters, six of which were commissioned in March.

India bought 24 MH-60Rs from the US in 2020 for $2.2 billion, with delivery expected through 2025.

“The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its capacity to conduct anti-submarine warfare operations from its MH-60R helicopters,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.

“India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”

The principal contractor(s) will be Sparton Corporation in De Leon Springs, Florida, or Undersea Sensor Systems Inc. in Columbia City, Indiana, or a combination of both. 

The proposed sale includes no offset agreements as of now.

Key Security Agreements Signed

The approval came the day Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Washington, DC.

A day earlier the countries signed two key pacts: a non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and a memorandum of agreement regarding the assignment of liaison officers to improve cooperation and interoperability.

The SOSA mandates India and the US to provide reciprocal priority support for defense goods and services, enabling “both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions to meet national security needs.”

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According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Canberra requested 350 missiles from RTX and Lockheed Martin for an estimated cost of $100 million.

The request also includes technical assistance and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The planned purchase was recently approved by the US State Department but will still need a Congressional greenlight.

If the sale goes through, the DSCA said the weapons will help improve Australia’s ability to meet current and future threats by increasing its anti-armor capability.

“It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the Pentagon agency wrote.

Infrared Guided Missile

The FGM-148F Javelin is a medium-range missile that can engage tanks with conventional and reactive armor.

It boasts “fire-and-forget” technology, allowing operators to quickly take cover and avoid enemy counter-fire.

Additionally, the weapon has an advanced tandem warhead and a sophisticated imaging infrared seeker for a more accurate strike.

The Javelin has been combat-proven in Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 20 countries operating the anti-tank system.

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