FMS: Australia Considering JASSM or SLAM-ER Cruise Missiles

Released on Thursday, April 14, 2005

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the US Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Munition (JASSM) missile systems as well as associated equipment and services. The total value of the two separated foreign military sales could be as high as $593 million. Australia is considering both weapons to meet the requirements of its Air Force.

The government of Australia requested the US government the potential sale of up to 260 AGM-158 JASSM missiles including operation, telemetry, and captive air training missiles with containers, support equipment, integration and certification support, training missiles, containers, spare and repair parts, missile support and test equipment, provisioning, program management, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, technical and logistics services and other related elements. The estimated value of this sale is $163 million.

The government of Australia requested the US government the potential sale of up to 260 AGM-84H SLAM-ER missiles including operation, telemetry, and captive air training missiles with containers, support equipment, integration and certification support, training missiles, containers, spare and repair parts, missile support and test equipment, provisioning, program management, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, technical and logistics services and other related elements. The estimated value of this sale is $430 million.

Australia will use the JASSM or SLAM-ER missiles to keep the peace and stability in the Western Pacific area of influence. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will thus maintain an important self-defense capability and the military balance in the area. RAAF will integrate JASSM or SLAM-ER on the F/A-18 and AP-3C aircraft. In addition, further interoperability will be gained with the US Air Force which also operates the JASSM missile or the US Navy which uses SLAM-ER. Lockheed-Martin would be the main contractor for this proposed foreign military sale if Australia chooses JASSM proposal. Boeing would be the prime contractor for the SLAM-ER based bid.

These two proposed foreign military sales must get green light from the US Congress before the sale of one of two competing bids can be concluded.