An announcement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency will see Australia buy the Boeing Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) and associated equipment, training, and support under a $US386 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case.
The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of:
- Up to 2,950 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I)
- Up to 50 Guided Test Vehicles (GTV) with GBU-39 (T-1)/B (Inert Fuze)
“This request also includes the following Non-Major Defense Equipment: containers, weapons system support equipment, support and test equipment, site survey, transportation, repair and return warranties, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training, and training equipment, US Government and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support,” according to the DSCA announcement. “The total estimated value of MDE is $US172 million. The total overall estimated value is $US386 million.
“The sale of SDB I supports and complements the on-going sale of the F-35 to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This capability will strengthen combined operations and increase interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and the RAAF.”
The usual disclaimer of the ‘sale has not been made yet’ was present but there have only been a handful of times where the FMS Letter of Offer has not been finalised by the Commonwealth.