Australia requests LRASM for F-18s
The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs).
Announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on 7 February, the FMS is to include up to 200 AGM-158C LRASMs and related equipment for an estimated cost of $990 million.
Also included are 11 ATM-158C LRASM telemetry variant (inert), DATM-158C LRASM, captive air training missiles (CATM-158C LRASM), containers, support and test equipment.
Australia intends to use the missiles on its F-18 aircraft to provide enhanced capabilities in defence of critical sea-lanes.
The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin.
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