WASHINGTON, August 1, 2008 The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of follow-on support for F/A-18E/F Aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1.5 billion.
The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of follow-on support of the F/A-18 aircraft to include up to 4 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Captive Air Training Missiles, 10 AN/ALE-47 Electronic Warfare Countermeasure Systems, 8 AN/ALQ-214 Radio Frequency Countermeasure Systems, and 10 AN/ALR-67(V)3 Electronic Warfare Countermeasure Receiving Sets. Also included: avionics software, engine component improvement and spare parts, technical ground support equipment, spare and repair parts, supply support, publications and technical data, engineering change proposals, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $1.5 billion.
Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia's efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan have had a significant impact on regional political and economic stability and have served U.S. national security interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden-sharing with our allies.
The Government of Australia needs this follow-on support, contractor maintenance, and technical services to maintain the operational capabilities of its aircraft.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be: Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, AZ, Boeing Company of St. Louis, MO, Raytheon EW Systems of Goleta, CA, ITT EW Systems of Clifton, NJ, and Symetrics Industries of Melbourne, FL. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.
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