The US State Department has approved Australia’s potential purchase of AGM-88E2 AARGM E2 missiles for an estimated cost of $94 million.
Australia has requested to buy up 15 AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) guidance sections, up to 15 AARGM control sections, high speed anti radiation missiles (HARM) rocket motors, HARM warheads, and HARM control sections.
Also included are AARGM all up round (AUR) tactical missiles, captive air training missiles (CATM), HARM G-Code AUR; HARM G-Code CATM, M-Code GPS receivers, as well as support and test equipment.
The AARGM is a supersonic air-launched tactical missile system and is currently employed by the Royal Australian Air Force’s EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft fleet. It is also used by US Navy Growlers and Italian Air Force’s Tornado electronic combat aircraft.
With the AARGM, Australia has the capability to suppress and destroy land- or sea-based radar emitters associated with enemy air defenses. Destruction or suppression of enemy radar denies the adversary the use of air defense systems, thereby improving the survivability of its tactical aircraft.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
The principal contractor, should a deal be concluded, will be Northrop Grumman Information Systems (NGIS).
