The US Government has approved the Australian Government’s request to buy jammers for protection from improvised explosive devices (IED).
Australia is looking to purchase 850 Northrop Grumman-produced Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Increment 1 Block 1 (JCREW I1B1) systems and associated equipment for $245m.
The potential deal would be implemented under the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) foreign military sales programme.
The sale is still subject to the approval of the US Congress. The DoD’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on 20 November.
The US will sell 533 vehicle-mounted and 317 dismounted variants of the JCREW I1B1.
In addition, the sale package will include support and test equipment, spare parts, and engineering, technical and logistics support services.
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By GlobalDataThe DSCA said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region.”
The JCREW I1B1 systems will provide Australian forces and vehicles with enhanced protection from radio-controlled IED threats.
Northrop Grumman has been named the prime contractor for the sale.
The company will provide systems that feature an open architecture and can adapt to tackle evolving threats.
Northrop Grumman’s JCREW systems are software-programmable jammers that are available in dismounted, mounted and fixed-site variants.
They offer protection to forces on foot, vehicles and permanent structures.
The company was awarded a full-rate production contract by the US Navy in 2018 for the production of JCREW systems.
