FMS: Australia Seeks Weapons Package for F/A-18E/F Super Hornets

Released on Thursday, October 11, 2007

This release replaces a previous news release dated October 4, 2007 (transmittal no. 08-12) because it contained inaccuracies. WASHINGTON, October 11, 2007 � The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of weapons for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $617 million.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of 47 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles, 20 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 16 Special Air Training Missiles (NATMs), 4 Tactical WGU-51/B Guidance Units, 8 CATM-9X WGU-51/B Guidance Units, 50 AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW), 18 AN/ASQ- 228 (V2) Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) Pods, 24 AN/ALQ-214 Radio Frequency Countermeasures, 90 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS), 32 AN/PVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVG), 16Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT), system integration and testing, software development/integration, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $617million. Australia is an important ally in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia's efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations have made a significant impact to regional political and economic stability and have served U.S. national security interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.

Australia recently purchased 24 F/A-18E/F aircraft, notified to Congress under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act on 6 February 2007. These weapons systems will be integrated on Australia's F/A-18E/F aircraft. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be The Boeing Company, St. Louis, Missouri, General Electric Aircraft Engines, Lynn, Massachusetts, and Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this sale will require approximately eight contractor representatives to provide technical and logistics support in Australia for two years. U.S. Government and contractor representatives will also participate in program management and technical reviews for one-week intervals twice annually.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.