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The US State Department has greenlit a UK government request for a ballistic missile radar and battle management command communications system.
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The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has announced the approval of a proposed US$700 million ($948 million) deal to supply the United Kingdom with a Ballistic Missile Defense Radar (BMDR) and two Command and Control Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) user nodes.
The potential sale also includes:
- design and construction of a combined radar-equipment shelter;
- encryption devices, secure communication equipment, and other required COMSEC equipment to support radar operations; and
- engineering, technical and logistics support services.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the DSCA noted in a statement.
“The proposed sale will improve UK’s ability to meet current and future ballistic missile threats to the UK and NATO by improving the effectiveness of NATO BMD systems.”
If completed, the deal may require assistance from approximately 15 US government and up to 100 contractor representatives, supporting the installation, integration and testing of the BMDR and C2BMC capability.
This DSCA announcement comes amid a ramp up in defence collaboration between NATO partners off the back of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NATO members and like-minded allies have co-ordinated efforts to supply Ukraine with arms in support of their resistance.
The Biden administration recently announced an additional US$800 million ($1.09 billion) in direct security assistance to Ukraine, aimed at supporting the nation’s resistance to Russian aggression.
This includes the supply of missiles, drones, grenade launchers, and ammunition.
However, US assistance notably omits any commitment to supply Ukraine with fighter jets, despite Poland’s offer to supply MiC-29 aircraft.
[Related: US ramps up military assistance to Ukraine]
