WorldTekhno.com – The U.S. State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale (FMS) to the Swedish government of 250 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) and six AMRAAM C-8 guidance parts and related equipment for an estimated cost. of up to $605 million.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) submitted the required certification to notify Congress of this potential sale, DSCA reported on July 7, 2023.
Earlier, Sweden submitted a proposal to purchase up to 250 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) and six AMRAAM C-8 guidance pieces.
Also included are a control section and a spare AIM-120 container; AMRAAM Test Set (ATS) telemetry kits, encryption devices, munitions and ancillary equipment support, classified software delivery and support, parts, consumables and accessories, repair and return support, transportation support, confidential publications and technical documentation, studies and surveys, U.S. government and contractor technical, engineering and logistics support services, and elements of logistics support and other related programs.
Sweden reportedly wants to replenish its supply of air defense capabilities by ordering hundreds of AMRAAM missiles from U.S. defense contractor RTX (Raytheon).
DSCA said the proposed sale would enhance Sweden’s ability to meet and deter current and future threats in the region and promote the Swedish Air Force’s “high degree” of interoperability with U.S. and other regional and NATO joint forces.
The spending comes as GlobalData’s recent forecast of the global missile and missile defense market projects substantial growth in the coming decades, reaching a value of $67.5 billion by 2033.
Sweden’s defense budget reached $8.7 billion by 2023, about 1.4% of its GDP, up from 1.2% in 2022, and equivalent to an annual increase of 17.3%, according to GlobalData.***
