US State Department approves FMS deal for UK to acquire JAGM

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGMs), the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 23 October 2023.

The proposed sale, worth an estimated USD957.4 M, has been forwarded to the US Congress for final approval.

The UK government has requested to buy 3,000 JAGMs, which will be used to arm the British Army Air Corps’ AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters. The UK Ministry of Defence finalised an FMS deal for 50 AH-64Es in 2020, with the first helicopters received in November of that year and the last ones due to arrive in 2024.

The UK selection of the JAGM to arm the AH-64E (alongside Hellfire missiles, 70 mm rockets and the aircraft’s 30 mm cannon) appears to preclude a purchase of Brimstone missiles from MBDA.

In US service the JAGM replaces air-launched Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW), Hellfire, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles.

The JAGM was cleared for full-rate production on 30 August 2022.

Also included in the UK JAGM purchase are dummy missiles; technical assistance; publications; integration support; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.

The principal contractor will be the Lockheed Martin out of its facilities in Orlando, Florida.