WASHINGTON, August 15, 2024
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy of MQ-9 Block 5 Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $738 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Italy has requested to buy six (6) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) MQ-9 Block 5 Aircraft; three (3) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) MQ-9 Mobile Ground Control Stations (MGCS); twelve (12) AN/DAS-4 Multi-spectral Target Systems; nine (9) LYNX AN/APY-8 Block 20A Synthetic Aperture Radars with Maritime Wide Area Surveillance (MWAS) capability; and one (1) Embedded Global Positioning & Inertial Navigation System (EGI).
The following non-MDE items will also be included: Reaper/Predator engines; Ruggedized Aircraft Maintenance Test Stations (RAMTS); AN/ARC-210 Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) Radios (RT-2036); Ground Data Terminals (GDT) (line of sight link); AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; KIV-77 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Cryptographic Applique; Transponder IFF AN/APX-119; KY100M Narrowband/Wideband terminal communications security (COMSEC) device; UAS MQ-9 Fixed Ground Control System (FGCS); satellite communications (SATCOM) Earth Terminal Subsystems (SETSS); precision navigation; integration and test support and equipment; aircraft or engine support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; major modifications, maintenance, and maintenance support; facilities and construction support; transportation and airlift support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; special insurance and warranties; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $738 million.
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 proposed sale will improve Italy’s capability to meet current and future threats by expanding and improving the Italian Air Force’s MQ-9 fleet and advancing U.S. and NATO policy goals of security and interoperability. Italy already has MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft with strike capabilities in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be General Atomics, located in San Diego, CA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Italy.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy of MQ-9 Block 5 Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $738 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Italy has requested to buy six (6) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) MQ-9 Block 5 Aircraft; three (3) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) MQ-9 Mobile Ground Control Stations (MGCS); twelve (12) AN/DAS-4 Multi-spectral Target Systems; nine (9) LYNX AN/APY-8 Block 20A Synthetic Aperture Radars with Maritime Wide Area Surveillance (MWAS) capability; and one (1) Embedded Global Positioning & Inertial Navigation System (EGI).
The following non-MDE items will also be included: Reaper/Predator engines; Ruggedized Aircraft Maintenance Test Stations (RAMTS); AN/ARC-210 Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) Radios (RT-2036); Ground Data Terminals (GDT) (line of sight link); AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; KIV-77 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Cryptographic Applique; Transponder IFF AN/APX-119; KY100M Narrowband/Wideband terminal communications security (COMSEC) device; UAS MQ-9 Fixed Ground Control System (FGCS); satellite communications (SATCOM) Earth Terminal Subsystems (SETSS); precision navigation; integration and test support and equipment; aircraft or engine support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; major modifications, maintenance, and maintenance support; facilities and construction support; transportation and airlift support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; special insurance and warranties; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $738 million.
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 proposed sale will improve Italy’s capability to meet current and future threats by expanding and improving the Italian Air Force’s MQ-9 fleet and advancing U.S. and NATO policy goals of security and interoperability. Italy already has MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft with strike capabilities in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be General Atomics, located in San Diego, CA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Italy.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
