The United States government has authorized the potential sale of a new batch of advanced AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to equip the fighter fleets of the Belgian, Italian, and Romanian Air Forces. This follows one of the most recent notifications submitted by the State Department to the U.S. Congress, seeking approval for the $103.9 million transaction through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
According to information released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on August 27, and through NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), the governments of Belgium, Italy, and Romania requested the acquisition of new AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
As of today, it should be noted that the respective Air Forces operate U.S.-made F-16 and F-35 fighter aircraft as their main combat platforms. In the case of the former, they are undergoing a transition to the fifth-generation aircraft.
For Italy, the Aeronautica Militare is already a major and established operator of the F-35 platform, having introduced its first jets in 2016. The country currently fields both the conventional takeoff and landing “A” variant and the “B” VTOL version, the latter operating from the aircraft carrier Cavour and the new LHD amphibious assault ship Trieste.
Belgium, for its part, is preparing to soon receive its first F-35A fighters on national territory, while progress is being made in the training of pilots, ground personnel, and crews. The first instructors of the force have already completed their respective training in the United States. Moreover, based on recent decisions, the Belgian government plans to expand its future fleet with additional orders.
Romania, meanwhile, is in the process of negotiating with the United States to finalize the acquisition of fifth-generation fighters. As a “stop-gap” solution, it is advancing the incorporation of 32 F-16 Block 15 MLU fighters acquired from Norway, having received a new batch in recent days to bring its fleet to 21 aircraft.
As for the package authorized by the State Department, valued at $103.9 million, it consists of 96 AIM-9X air-to-air missiles in their Block II or Block II+ variants. Of these, 8 are allocated to Belgium, 12 to Italy, and the remaining 64 to Romania.
Finally, U.S. authorities stated: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of NATO allies, which are an important force for political stability and economic progress in the North Atlantic region.”
They added: “The proposed sale will improve NATO’s ability to meet current and future threats through the use of air-to-air missiles and guidance units for their F-35 fleets, in support of the Alliance’s defense mission. NATO will have no difficulty integrating these weapons into its armed forces.”
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