The United States approved a deal worth $250 million for the sale of 100 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to NATO member Spain on Wednesday (September 02).
In a statement issued by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the US State Department gave a go-ahead for the deal.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of one hundred, (100) AIM-120C-7/8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and one (1) AMRAAM Guidance Section (spare) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $248.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.”
The deal, which went ahead upon the request of Spain government’s request for the missiles also includes KGV-135A encryption devices (a high-speed, general-purpose encryptor/decryptor, which is under development at Motorola), containers, weapon support and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications, and technical documentation.
As per the press statement issued by the department, the deal will help enhance Madrid’s security for ‘political stability and economic progress in Europe’ and will help equip the nation in dealing with future threats.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Spain in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability,”
This proposed sale will improve Spain’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its stocks of AMRAAMs for its fighter aircraft fleets in support of the national defense. The potential sale will further strengthen the interoperability between the United States and Spain. Spain will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces.”
The Department also said that the proposed sale, which will be fulfilled by Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, AZ, will not ‘alter the basic military balance in the region’. Earlier this year, a deal more than $1.4 billion for the sale of three proposed weapons was made to modernize Patriot missile defenses in Kuwait.
