US approves anti-radiation missile control section upgrade contract for UAE

The US has approved a possible US$144 million FMS to the UAE for High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Control Section Modification Upgrade.

The Emirates has requested the purchase of up to a 149 WCU-33/B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Control Section Modification (HCSM) upgrade kits.

If approved by the US Congress, the FMS would also include high bandwidth HSCM telemetry kits loaned for integration support to be used in CONUS use only. This involves HARM Control Section containers, encryption devices, software and mission data support, test flight and live-fire range support, HARM support and test equipment, spare parts and other associated equipment and services.

The proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of an important regional partner, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency noted in a statement, adding that the UAE remains a vital partner for the US.

“The proposed sale will improve the UAE’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its capability to defend its national borders, bolster air-to-surface defensive capabilities, deter regional threats, and protect vital international commercial trading routes and critical infrastructure,” said the US government body.

The principal contractor of the FMS will be RTX Corporation.

The AGM-88 HARM is an air-to-surface anti-radiation missile designed to detect electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar and then destroy it.

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