US Department of State Greenlights Weapons Sale to Italy, Denmark, S. Korea
USA – The US Department of State have approved possible weapons sale to Italy, Denmark and South Korea, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Friday.
Denmark requested to buy an advanced air defense system called the Integrated Battle Command System, designed to protect against incoming missiles and rockets fired from a distance for an estimated cost of $3 billion.
“The proposed sale will improve Denmark’s capability to meet current and future threats and enhance its interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces,” the agency said.
Major US defense contractors RTX Corporation, Lockheed-Martin, Leidos, and Northrop Grumman would build the equipment. Some nine to 14 US government staffers and 12-17 contractor representatives would travel to Denmark over seven years to set up and train Danish forces.
Denmark also requested 200 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles – advanced air-to-air missiles that fighter jets fire at enemy aircraft from medium distances, typically beyond visual range, and three guidance sections for an estimated cost of $730 million.
RTX Corporation would manufacture the missiles. No additional US personnel would need to be stationed in Denmark for the sale, which must first be approved by the US Congress.
Weapons Sale to Italy
Separately, Italy requested 100 JASSM-ER missiles – long-range precision weapons that fighter jets, including F-35s, can fire at ground targets from far away while staying out of range of enemy defenses.
Lockheed Martin would build the missiles, and no additional US staff would be required in Italy for the package, with an estimated cost of $301 million.
The agency said the sales, which would first require congressional approval, “will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of” NATO allies.
Weapons Sale to South Korea
The agency said South Korea had requested 624 additional GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs – precision-guided weapons that fighter jets drop on ground targets with high accuracy that are powerful enough to destroy tanks and bunkers.
It said the sale “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress” in the Asia-Pacific region.
The bombs will help South Korea defend against “current and future threats…. to deter aggression in the region” and ensure its forces can work seamlessly with American military units, the agency said.
It added that US defense company Boeing will manufacture the weapons and also that no additional US government staff or contractors will need to be stationed in South Korea for the sale.
