Canada to purchase Sidewinder AIM-9X Block II from US
The US State Department on 15 June approved a possible FMS to Canada of 50 Sidewinder AIM-9X Block II tactical missiles and related equipment for $862.3 million.
The deal also includes 50 AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles, 10 Special Air Training Missiles, 10 Tactical Guidance Units, 10 CATM Guidance Missiles, 38 APG-79(V)4 AESA radar units and 20 Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW).
The prime contractors include Boeing, Collins Aerospace, General Dynamics Mission System and Raytheon.
The sale will provide Canada with 2-squadron bridge of enhanced F/A-18A aircraft which will meet NORAD and NATO commitments whilst it gradually introduces new advanced aircraft through its Future Fighter Capability Programme between 2025 and 2035.
No offset arrangements have been confirmed by either party but may be negotiated between the purchaser and the contractor at a later date.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
-
India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist
With IMRH and DBMRH potentially years from service, India faces a widening rotary-wing capability gap that could drive further foreign purchases even as HAL and Safran build the foundations of an indigenous successor.