UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
Raytheon has secured a $392.41 million modification to a previously awarded contract to produce and deliver Sidewinder Lot 20 AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ short-range air-to-air missiles.
The contract modification includes training missiles, captive test missiles, special air training missiles, advanced optical target detectors, Block II and II+ guidance units, Block I and II propulsion steering sections, electronic units, tail caps, containers and spare parts.
Alongside providing support to the USAF and USN, the contract includes FMS of the missiles to Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and the UAE.
Work will be carried out at numerous locations across the US as well as in Ottawa, Canada.
The contracting activity is the Naval Air Systems Command.
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.