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Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands will acquire 940 FIM-92K Stinger Block I surface-to-air missiles under a possible US$780 million foreign military sale approved by the US State Department.
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The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress of the possible sale to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (acting on behalf of the three countries) on 22 December.
The sale is expected to include the FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles, battery coolant units, metal containers, US government and contractor production, and technical and engineering assistance.
The FIM-92K Stinger is a variant of FIM-92J man-portable air defence system and is designed to use a vehicle datalink rather than the missile’s own seeker for targeting. The base FIM-92 Stinger operates as an infrared homing surface-to-air missile, which can be adapted to fire from ground vehicles and helicopters.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, three NATO allies,” according to a statement from the DSCA.
“The proposed sale will improve the air defence capabilities of these three NATO allies. They will use the system to defend their territorial integrity and to promote regional stability.
“The proposed sale supports NATO’s goal of improving national and territorial defence as well as improving interoperability with US and NATO forces.
“Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into their armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
Defence primes Raytheon and Lockheed Martin would act as the prime contractors, with no known offset agreements proposed in connection with the potential sale or assignment of any US government personnel or contractor representatives to NATO.
The Stinger man-portable air defence system was originally developed in the United States, before entering service in 1981. It has since expanded its use by militaries across more than 30 countries.
Late last year, the US State Department also announced that it had given a green light for the possible sale of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Greece under a deal worth $1.95 billion.
The approval was provided to Congress on 15 December.
The sale is expected to see the Greek military purchase 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, along with related equipment and training.
The equipment includes 80 T700-GE-701D engines with 10 spares, 44 common missile warning systems, 85 embedded GPS systems with inertial navigation, and 85 SATCOM radio systems.
The State Department expects that the sale will improve the safety of a NATO ally and support European stability.
