The US Department of State has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) guided rockets and associated equipment to Jordan, valued at an estimated cost of $100m.
Jordan seeks to procure up to 1,500 WGU-59A/B or B/B Single Variant Block Upgrade APKWS II all-up rounds or guidance sections.
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The systems may be configured for air-to-air, ground-to-air or air-to-ground applications, according to the State Department notification.
In addition, the proposed package covers launchers, Mk-152 high-explosive warheads, MK66 rocket motors, proximity fuzes and practice warheads.
It also includes support equipment, technical documentation, transport, and US Government and contractor engineering, training and logistics services.
BAE Systems has been named as the principal contractor for the FMS.
The State Department said the proposed acquisition would strengthen Jordan’s air-defence capability under the Middle East Air Defence pillar of the Regional Security Construct. Additional guided rockets would also increase Jordan’s ability to defend itself and provide greater security for US military assets based in the country.
According to the notification, the sale is intended to support US foreign-policy and national-security objectives by assisting Jordan, which Washington designates a Major Non-Nato Ally.
The transaction “will not alter” the basic military balance in the region, it added.
The US Government said it was not aware of any offset arrangement proposed in connection with the potential sale; any such agreement would be settled between Jordan and the contractor.
Implementation would not require additional US Government or contractor personnel to be permanently assigned to Jordan, the department said.
However, periodic participation in programme and technical reviews, training and maintenance support would be required.
The approval follows a separate potential sale cleared earlier this year for Ku-band multi-function radio-frequency system radars, equipment and services for Jordan, estimated at $280m.
