WASHINGTON, Nov 10, 2015 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom for Hellfire missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $80 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 9, 2015.
The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) requested a possible sale of five hundred (500) AGM-114R Hellfire II Semi-Active Laser (SAL) missiles. The estimated cost is $80 million.
This sale directly contributes to the foreign and national security policies of the United States by enhancing the close air support capability of the UK in support of NATO and other coalition operations. Commonality between close air support capabilities greatly increases interoperability between our two countries’ military and peacekeeping forces and allows for greater burden sharing.
The proposed sale improves the UK's ability to meet current and future threats by providing close air support to counter enemy attacks on coalition ground forces in U.S. CENTCOM’s area of responsibility. The UK currently has Hellfire missiles in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
There is no principal contractor for this sale as the missiles are coming from U.S. Army stock. 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 additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the UK.
There will be no adverse impact on United States defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. All defense articles and services are approved for release by our foreign disclosure office.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.
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