WASHINGTON — The US State Department today gave the greenlight for a massive $3.2 billion missile deal with Germany.
The deal could see RTX sell Berlin 173 Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block 1 missiles, 577 Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) Block III missiles as well as associated launchers, related equipment and US contractor logistical support.
“The proposed sale will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing integrated air and missile defense capabilities deployable from their future Aegis Weapon System equipped F127 class surface combatants, bolstering Germany’s capacity to present a credible deterrence to regional strategic competitors,” a notice posted on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s website says.
“The proposed sale will also improve Germany’s ability to operate alongside U.S. and Allied naval forces in facing a full spectrum of maritime threats. Germany will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.”
Last year, the German government gave the official greenlight to the F127 frigate program, which German shipbuilder TKMS said was the “next generation of sea-based air defense.”
RTX describes the SM-6 as “three missiles in one,” capable of conduting anti-air and anti-surface warfare, as well as ballistic missile defense. SM-2, meanwhile, is a dedicated surface-to-air defense missile, which RTX says can defend “against anti-ship missiles and aircraft out to 90 nautical miles (103 miles) and an altitude of 65,000 feet.
As with all foreign military sales, dollar figures and unit amounts are subject to change as negotiations continue. Lawmakers will also have the opportunity to step in to prevent the sale, though that’s unlikely as Germany is seen as a key defense partner in Europe.
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