The Netherlands is set to become the world’s fifth international operator of the Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER).
The governments of the Netherlands and the USA have formalised a letter of offer and acceptance (LoA) for the AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ER, according to Lockheed.
“We’re honoured to partner with the US government to provide the Netherlands armed forces with the combat proven and mission effective weapon system to meet their ever-evolving strategic defence needs,” says Lockheed’s JASSM programme director Scott Redmerski.
Lockheed does not provide the number of weapons to be provided or the contract value. In February, the US government cleared the sale of 120 JASSM-ERs and associated equipment and services to the Netherlands. The value given for the package was $908 million.
According to Lockheed, this makes the Netherlands the fifth international customer for JASSM. In addition to the USA, confirmed JASSM users include Australia, Finland and Poland.
Recent media reports suggest that Japan has also concluded an LoA for JASSM-ER.
The range of the air-launched JASSM-ER is understood to be over 431nm (800km), compared with 172nm for the baseline JASSM. The weapon, which features a low radar signature, is designed to defeat enemy air defence systems and strike high value precision targets.
BELGIUM CLEARED FOR STORMBREAKER SALE
The US government has cleared Belgium to buy 196 Raytheon Small Diameter Bomb-Increment II Stormbreaker munitions.
The potential deal, valued at $115 million, also includes spares, training, logistics support, and other elements related to the weapon, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
“The proposed sale will improve Belgium’s capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining its [Lockheed Martin] F-35 fleet in combat-ready status and providing a credible deterrent to regional threats,” says the DSCA.
“Belgium will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
