The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Sweden of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and related equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 10 July 2023.
The proposed sale, which covers up to 250 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and is worth an estimated USD 605 M (EUR 551.3 M), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Various spares, test equipment, and engineering, logistics and programme support are also covered by the deal.
Sweden is already a user of the AMRAAM; the missile is carried by the Swedish Air Force’s Saab Gripen C/D/E fighters.
As noted by the DSCA, “The proposed sale will improve Sweden’s capability to meet and deter current and future threats in the region by ensuring Sweden has modern, capable air-to-air munitions. This sale will further advance the already high level of Swedish Air Force interoperability with US joint forces and other regional and NATO forces.”
Sweden has applied to join NATO, although alliance member Turkey is stilling putting the brake on its accession. Meanwhile, a number of US allies in Europe are increasing their weapon stocks following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The principal contractor for the AMRAAM sale to Sweden is Raytheon Missiles and Defense out of its facilities in Tucson, Arizona.
Peter Felstead
