US approves GMLRS sale to France
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) unitary rocket pods and related support to France, it was announced on 12 April.
The sales is estimated to cost $90 million and includes 21 GMLRS unitary rocket pods, GMLRS quality assurance team, publications, software updates, live fire data and technical assistance. France plans to use these missiles to improve its self-defence capabilities and expand its existing army architecture.
France is a co-developer of the GMLRS and has operational requirements for more missiles. The improved GMLRS integrates an approximately 200lbs unitary warhead and features amore sophisticated anti-jam and accuracy processor. The MLRS munitions family includes three rockets and four missiles with another six variants under development.
The US Army procured the GMLRS unitary rocket pods from Lockheed Martin. However, the sale to France will be from the US stock and not involve Lockheed Martin. In order to implement the sale, US government and contractor representatives will travel to France for equipment de-processing, fielding, system checkout, and new equipment training.
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