US announces possible sale of AGM-88Gs to Australia
AARGM-ER completed development test flight DT-4 in November 2022 on the Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of southern California. Launched from an F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft, the AGM-88G missile engaged a moving maritime target. (NAVAIR)
The US Department of State has approved a potential sale of 100 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ERs) for Australia under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Australian government requested the purchase of AARGM-ERs with GPS precise positioning system (PPS) provided by Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code. SAASM and M-Code receivers provide anti-jam capabilities and support spoofing. M-Code receivers are more resistant to jamming as they have a higher transmission power.
The potential deal has an approximate value of USD405 million (AUD586 million), the DSCA said on 27 September. The announcement also covers 24 AGM-88G control sections as spares.
This is the second US announcement of a possible sale of AGM-88Gs to Australia in the last two years. It follows an earlier February 2023 notice of 63 AGM-88Gs and up to 20 AARGM-ER Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs) potentially up for sale to Australia, valued at USD506 million.
Janes previously reported that Australia seeks to strengthen the capability of its Boeing EA-18G Growlers using the new AGM-88Gs. The missiles would also likely arm the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning IIs in the future, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) said.
The latest DSCA announcement includes several non-major defence equipment (MDE), such as missile containers, component parts and support equipment, repair, software (classified and unclassified), publications (classified and unclassified), training (classified and unclassified), transportation, US government and contractor engineering support, and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
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