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The US State Department has approved the sale of the air-launched Small Diameter Bomb II and AIM-120C-8 medium-range air-to-air missiles to the Italian military in two sales totalling US$219.3 million.
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Both sales, approved in mid-February, are expected to enable the Italian Air Force to meet emerging threats and ensure continued interoperability with the US and their NATO partners.
The capabilities will be delivered by RTX Corporation if approved.
The first sale, consisting of 12 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, has been added to a previous sale, pushing the transaction above the congressional notification threshold, with the updated sale totalling 24 missiles.
It also includes test and reprogramming equipment, containers and support equipment, spare parts, accessories, logistics support as US government and contractor support.
The total cost of the program is US$69.3 million.
The second contract, approved the same day, includes the sale of 125 53/B Small Diameter Bombs II, which are likewise added to a previous case. The contract includes trainers, munitions support and equipment, software, and US government and contractor support. The sale totals US$150 million.
Both sales are expected to support Italian Air Force capability.
The sale comes as the US State Department approved a possible US$75 million foreign military sale of tactical data link upgrades to the government of Taiwan.
The US Congress was notified of the possible sale by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on 21 February.
The possible sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office includes Taiwan Advanced Tactical Data Link System Upgrade Planning, related equipment, foreign military sales across domain solutions, high assurance devices, global positioning system receivers, communications equipment, requirements analysis, engineering, technical services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The principal contractor for the deal will be determined through US government competitive processes and the implementation of the proposed sale will require an estimated 200 US government personnel and 200 US contractor representatives to travel to the recipient, as required, to provide engineering and technical support services as well as program and technical reviews.
There will not be any expected adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sales to Italy or Taiwan, the US State Department confirmed.
