US considers FMS of ESSMs to Chile
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSMs) to Chile at a cost of $140.1 million, it was announced on 5 July.
Chile has requested three Mk 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS), tactical version, baseline VII; 33 ESSMs and six Evolved Seasparrow Telemetry Missiles. The request also includes ten Mk25 quad pack canisters; five ESSM shipping containers; five Mk-73 continuous wave illumination transmitters; and one Inertial Missile Initialiser Power Supply.
The sale will also include spare and repair parts, support and test equipment if it goes ahead.
The equipment will upgrade the air defence capabilities of Chile’s Type 23 frigates, strengthening their capability to deter regional threats and strengthen homeland defence.
The main contractors of the FMS include Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Raytheon Missile Systems.
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