US approves USD2.68 billion air-launched munitions sale to Canada

The proposed purchase of JDAMs and SBUs will be used to support operations for the RCAF's CF-188 Hornet, CF-35A Lightning II, CQ-9B SkyGuardian, and CP-8A Poseidon fleets. (DND-MDN Canada)

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved a potential USD2.68 billion sale to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) through the US Foreign Military Sales programme.

The government of Canada requested to buy hundreds of munitions, including 220 2,000 lb BLU-117 general-purpose (GP) bombs; 146 I-2000 penetrator warheads; 3,414 BLU-111 500 lb GP bombs; 3,108 GBU-39 SDB Increment I (SDB-I) bombs; 5,352 KMU-572 JDAM guidance kits; 396 KMU-556 JDAM guidance kits; 140 KMU-557 JDAM guidance kits; 2,004 GBU-53 SDB Increment II (SDB-II) bombs; and up to 10 GBU-53 SDB-II guided test vehicles (GTVs), according to a 4 December DSCA notice.

The approval also covers related items, as well as support, sustainment, and training.

A US Department of State official referred Janes to the Canadian government when asked about how the procurement would affect Canada's defence posture.

The purchase would be used to support operations for the RCAF's CF-188 Hornet, CF-35A Lightning II, CQ-9B SkyGuardian, and CP-8A Poseidon fleets, Andrée-Anne Poulin, communications officer at the Department of National Defence (DND), told Janes in an emailed statement on 8 December.

According to Poulin, the acquisition would enable the RCAF to increase its munitions reserves, a key component of Canada's ‘Our North, Strong and Free' 2024 defence policy.