UPDATED: Australia cements interest in AARGM-ER missile with FMS request
Australia has firmed up its intention to procure the latest AARGM-ER missile produced by Northrop Grumman. (Photo: USN)
The US has approved Australia’s FMS request for supply of the upcoming AARGM-ER missile, but the weapon is appealing to other F-35 users as well.
Australia is already a customer for Northrop Grumman’s AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), having made a purchase in June 2013. Now the country has confirmed its intention to acquire the latest extended-range version known as the AARGM-ER.
In June 2022, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a notification approving the potential sale of AGM-88E2 missiles to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Capt Alex Dutko, Program Manager, Direct and Time-Sensitive Strike (PMA-242) of the USN, reaffirmed that this notification ‘has now been turned into a case, and a quantity of weapons are on contract with FRP 11 [full-rate production
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![British Army's Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system]()
British Army's Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system
The UK MoD said it would narrow down the competitors from four to two later in the year, with those selected going on to develop the prototype drone that will operate as loyal wingman to the British Army’s Apache AH-64E helicopters.
-
![UH-60M Black Hawk: export demand underpins $13 billion market opportunity]()
UH-60M Black Hawk: export demand underpins $13 billion market opportunity
The UH-60M is the latest variant of the UH-60, a workhorse multirole helicopter that continues to attract further orders from across the globe. With further modernisation upgrades underway, the platform is expected to remain in operation until 2050.
-
![SOF Week 2026: DroneShield moves to double its production capacity in the US]()
SOF Week 2026: DroneShield moves to double its production capacity in the US
The DroneShield US subsidiary is rapidly expanding its manufacturing footprint in the country and has expedited the process to double its domestic production capacity in at least four months.
-
![Next-generation tactical UAS: Advancing European defence capabilities]()
Next-generation tactical UAS: Advancing European defence capabilities
As Europe confronts its most unstable security environment since the Cold War, defence planners recognise that advanced, dependable and flexible Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are central to a force that competes and prevails on today’s battlefield.
