The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles and related equipment, the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on 6 September 2024.
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 691 million (EUR 626 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
The Netherlands has requested to buy two 246 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles; six AIM-9X Block II captive air training missiles (CATMs); two AIM-9X Block II special air training missiles; 14 AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units; and two AIM-9X Block II CATM guidance units.
Also included in the package are missile containers; spares; personnel training and training equipment; technical documentation; warranties; US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The AIM-9X Block II is already in the inventory of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). This latest batch of Sidewinders will arm the RNLAF’s fleet of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters.
While the costs of each FMS deal can vary considerably based on what is included in the overall package, this latest Dutch AIM-9X buy appears expensive compared to other similar sales. Leaving aside the extras such as CATMs, guidance units and support, and instead focusing purely on the number of actual AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles received, this deal will see the Netherlands secure 246 missiles for USD 691 million, giving a cost per missile of USD2.809 million.
On 12 March 2024, meanwhile, the DSCA announced the approval of a sale of 232 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block IIs to Poland for USD 219.1 million, giving a cost per missile of USD 0.944 million.
When ESD asked about this discrepancy, the US State Department’s Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, replied, “We have nothing to add beyond the items listed in the press release, save to note that every sale is specific to partner requests, and that pricing reflects a healthy cushion above the expected final costs. This is done to avoid the requirement of having to notify Congress a second time of additional equipment, or other similar actions that might delay a sale.”
The principal contractor for the sale will be RTX Corporation’s Raytheon business out of its facilities in in Tucson, Arizona.
