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Australia will acquire Tomahawk Weapon System support and services under a possible US$250 million foreign military sale approved by the US State Department.
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The US Congress was notified of the potential sale of General Tomahawk Weapons System Support Services Uplift and related equipment by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 10 January.
Under the deal, the Australian government has requested services to support the Tomahawk Weapon System, general weapons support services, logistics support management, material support, engineering technical support, management of technical data, and other logistics and program support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies,” according to the DSCA statement on 10 January.
“The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the Western Pacific.
“It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability.
“The proposed sale will allow Australia to better utilise the Tomahawk Weapon System it is procuring and ensure appropriate weapon pairing is evaluated to identify defined targets more precisely.
“It will also assist and contribute to Australia’s joint maritime weapon technology development, analysis, and implementation; support multiple lines of effort to enhance interoperability and interchangeability with the United States; and uplift joint warfighting operational effects.
“The proposed sale of this support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Principal contractors will be determined as the government of Australia identifies its specific annual and quarterly requirements for weapons uplift support. The proposed sale is not expected to require assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to Australia.
In August last year, the Australian federal government announced it would be investing $1.7 billion in long-range strike missiles and other guided weapons designed to assist the Australian Defence Force’s ability to deploy enhanced strike capabilities and hold an adversary at risk at longer ranges.
As part of that announcement, the government decided to purchase more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart Class destroyers, for approximately $1.3 billion.
In addition, the government has approved the acquisition of more than 60 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) missiles from the United States for $431 million. Those missiles are expected to be operated from Royal Australian Air Force’s Growler, Super Hornet aircraft, and F-35A Lightning II fighter jets to target enemy radar systems.
