The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles – Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) and related equipment, the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on 13 June 2024.
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 678 million (EUR 634 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
The Dutch sale, which covers 174 AMRAAM-ER missiles and four AMRAAM-C8 guidance sections, follows sales approvals for AMRAAM (AIM-120C-8) missiles for Denmark and Norway, which were announced respectively on 7 June and 11 June. Denmark had requested 84 AMRAAMs, while Norway had requested 300.
The DSCA stated that the proposed sale “will improve the Netherlands’ capability to meet current and future threats by providing advanced air defense missiles as part of an upgraded Medium Range Air Defense (MRAD) system and thereby enhancing its air defense capability”, adding that this enhanced capability “will protect the Netherlands and local
allied forces, and will significantly improve the Netherlands’ contribution to NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense”.
On 5 June 5 2023 the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that it was merging the projects to upgrade the Netherlands’ medium- and short-range air defence systems; the medium-range capability will be based on an advanced version of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), while the short-range capability will be based on a tracked armoured vehicle derived from the German-made Armoured Combat Support Vehicle G5 (ACSV G5).
The principal contractor for the Dutch AMRAAM sale will be RTX Corporation (Raytheon) out of its facilities in Camden, Arizona.
