The US State Department has approved the sale of ALE-70 Radio Frequency Countermeasures to Australia for their F-35 fleet.
The estimated cost is $108.7 million.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the sale, this is displayed below:
“The Government of Australia has requested the sale of one thousand nine hundred fifty-two (1,952) ALE-70(V)/T-1687A Electronic Towed Decoy Countermeasures, publications and technical documentation, other technical assistance, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.
This sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally and continues to be an important force for political stability, security, and economic development in the Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.
The proposed sale will improve Australia’s F-35 survivability and will enhance its capability to deter global threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and cooperate in coalition defense initiatives. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
The principal contractor will be BAE, based in Nashua, NH, US.
