The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Italy of AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (AAMs) and related equipment, the US Defense Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on 15 March 2024.
The proposed sale, which is worth USD 90.6 million (EUR 83.4 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Italy has requested to buy 28 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ AAMs; four AIM-9X Block II+ tactical guidance units; eight AIM-9X captive air training missiles (CATMs); and two AIM-9X CATM guidance units that will be added to previously implemented cases, the values of which were under the congressional notification threshold.
The original FMS cases, valued at USD 34.1 million (USD 24.1 million in major defence equipment (MDE)) and USD 17.6 million (USD 9.7 million in MDE) respectively, included a total of 38 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ AAMs; three AIM-9X Block II+ tactical guidance units; 16 AIM-9X CATMs; and two AIM-9X CATM guidance units.
This notification thus produces a combined total of 66 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ AAMs; seven AIM-9X Block II+ tactical guidance units; 24 AIM-9X CATMs; and four AIM-9X CATM guidance units.
Also included are active optical target detectors, training equipment, technical documents and various aspects of engineering, technical, logistics and programme support.
The DSCA stated that the proposed sale “will improve Italy’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing training missiles and guidance units for Italy’s F-35 [Joint Strike Fighter] fleet in support of NATO’s defense mission”.
The principal contractor for the sale will be RTX Corporation out of its facilities in Arlington, Virginia.
