U.S. State Department approves MQ-9 Reaper weaponization equipment for Italy
NewsNovember 06, 2015
WASHINGTON. Italy has received approval from the State Department on a possible Foreign Military Sale for weaponization of MQ-9s - an unmanned aerial system - and its associated parts, logistical support, and equipment. The sale is estimated at $129.6 million.
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in San Diego, California will be the prime contractor of this sale if it is concluded. Congress received the required certification by the Defense security Agency on November 3, 2015.
The possible sale of major defense equipment include:
• 156 AGM-114R2 HELLFIRE II Missiles
• 8 HELLFIRE II, M36-E8 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs)
• 30 GBU-12 Laser Guided Bombs
Non-major defense equipment include:
• 30 GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs
• 5 HELLFIRE M34 Dummy Missiles
• 30 GBU-49 Enhanced Laser Guided Bombs
• 30 GBU-54 Laser JDAMs
• 26 Bomb Racks
• 6 MQ-9 weaponization kits and installation
• 13 M-299 launchers
• 2 AN/AWM-103 test suites
• Personnel weapons training/equipment; spare parts; support equipment; publications and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; and other related elements of program and logistics support
According to Italian officials, they want their MQ-9 Reapers armed to support and enhance burden sharing in NATO and coalition operations; to increase operational flexibility; and to increase the survivability of Italian deployed forces.
Any questions concerning the proposed Foreign Military Sale can be e-mailed to State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, [email protected].
