The US Government Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the possible sale of up to 100 Northrop Grumman AGM-88G AARGM-ER (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range) missiles on 27 September.
Estimated cost of the potential contract is US$ 405 million (4586 million) at today’s prices.
“The proposed sale will improve the Government of Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the capability to suppress and destroy land or sea-based radar emitters associated with enemy air defences, thereby improving survivability of tactical aircraft,” the notification states.
This is the second DSCA notification of AARGM-ER missiles for Australia, following an announcement of the sale of up to 63 weapons on 27 February 2023. Also included in that announcement were up to 20 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM) and an unknown number of Dummy Air Training Missiles (DATM) for a then-estimated US$506 Million.
Included in Australia’s latest request is up to one hundred (100) AGM-88Gs, with global positioning system (GPS) precise positioning system (PPS) provided by Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code; up to 24 AGM-88G AARGM-ER guidance sections (spares); and up to 24 AGM-88G AARGM-ER control sections (spares).
"The recent Congressional Notification for the proposed sale of up to 100 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles - Extended Range (AARGM-ER) is separate and in addition to the previous Congressional Notification for the proposed sale of up to 63 AGM-88G AARGM-ER released on 27 February 2023," a Defence spokesperson told ADM on 1 October.
The US Navy is the lead customer for the AGM-88G and had initially planned to announce Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the new weapon in 2024, but an official announcement is yet to be made. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) had been expected to commence in 2026.
The AARGM-ER will initially be integrated with the RAAF’s Boeing EA-18G Growlers under Air 5349 Phase 6, but the weapon has specifically been designed to fit in the internal weapons bay of the F-35 Lightning II and Lockheed Martin was awarded a US Department of Defense contract for its integration with F-35A/B/C aircraft in January 2024.