The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale (FMS) to Norway for AIM 9X Block II Sidewinder missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress about the possible sale, which is valued at approximately $345m.
The US will deliver 200 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Tactical Missiles, two AIM-9X Special Air Training Missiles (NATMs), 40 CATM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), ten AIM-9X Block II Tactical Guidance Units, and 20 AIM-9X Block II CATM Guidance Units.
As part of the deal, Norway will also receive containers, support and test equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, US Government and contractor logistics and technical support services.
These capabilities will help Norway in areas such as mutual defence, regional security, force modernisation, and US and Nato interoperability.
Moreover, this proposed sale will enable the Royal Norwegian Air Force to increase its capability in order to combat with future threats. This will also contribute to the current and future Nato operations.
For the US, this deal will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the country by supporting its Nato ally.
Principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company in Tucson, Arizona, US.
Recently, the US State Department has approved a FMS to Malaysia of AIM-120C7 advanced, medium-range, air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) for an estimated amount of $21m.
Image: An AIM-9 Sidewinder is affixed to a US Navy F/A-18 Hornet on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73). Photo: courtesy of DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Fleske, US Navy.
