An SM-6 missile fired from the guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target during a live fire test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, on Aug. 29, 2017. (Photo: Missile Defense Agency)
WASHINGTON: The United Kingdom has received a green light to purchase a Ballistic Missile Defense Radar as well as an associated command and control system from the United States, a sale potentially worth up to $700 million.
“The proposed sale will improve UK’s ability to meet current and future ballistic missile threats to the UK and NATO by improving the effectiveness of NATO BMD systems,” according to a State Department statement released yesterday. “The United Kingdom will have no difficulty absorbing the BMD Radar into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
The primary contractor for the sale is Lockheed Martin and the work could require up to 15 government officials and 100 industry representatives to assist with construction, installation, integration and testing of the radar and C2 asset, called the Command and Control Battle Management Communications system, the State Department added.
Sales announcements are not final. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases announced like these have been approved by the executive branch, and now Congress must weigh in or do nothing. Should the Hill not object, the quantities and dollar values in the deals can change during negotiations with industry.
Despite the instability in Europe due to the war in Ukraine, such foreign military sales require years of work behind the scenes and therefore this one is unlikely to be related to Russia’s invasion. The long tails associated with FMS was called out by US Central Command chief Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie earlier this week while testifying to lawmakers.
The four-star combatant commander, who will take his leave from the military at the end of the month, said that while countries in his area of responsibility recognize the quality of US arms, they are frequently frustrated by the slow-moving process. McKenzie also hinted that Egypt, a country with a tenuous relationship with the US when it comes to buying military assets, will likely soon be cleared to purchase F-15s.
The sale’s approval also comes one day after the Pentagon published its Joint All Domain Command and Control implementation strategy. While trying to sell JADC2 to lawmakers, military brass have frequently cited the need for the service’s information sharing to extend not only to each other, but to the allies and partners they would expect to fight alongside.
Separately, the State Department also cleared Spain to purchase $950 million worth of MH-60R helicopters this week.
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