The US Department of State has approved the possible sale to Australia of a missile training capability for the Royal Australian Air Force’s new EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated that it notified the US Congress of the potential deal under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which is estimated to be worth US$69 million, on June 19.

The agency stated that the Australian government has requested the possible sale of: up to 14 AGM-88B HARM (High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile) tactical missiles, 16 AGM-88E AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile) tactical missiles, four CATM-88B Captive Air Training Missiles, eight CATM-88E AARGM training missiles, six AARGM guidance sections, five AARGM control sections, and two AARGM Tactical Telemetry Missiles for live-fire testing; containers, spares and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment; US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other elements of logistics and program support.

The principal contractor will be Orbital ATK Defense Electronic Systems.

A spokesperson for Defence told Australian Defence Business Review on June 26: “These missiles are typically employed against adversary radars in the suppression and destruction of their air defences. The potential purchase of these missiles is intended to support aircrew and maintainer training, to gain and maintain competency in their use.”