Posted on 11/01/2011 8:04:03 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
U.S. To Sell Finland Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles For Its F-18s
From the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA):
Washington - WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2011 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Oct. 28 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Finland for 70 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $255 million.
The Government of Finland has requested a sale of 70 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), 2 test vehicles, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $255 million.
The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a partner nation that remains an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. Finland is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Partnership for Peace as well as a member of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. It additionally became a European Union member in 1995. Finnish troops have participated in UN peacekeeping activities since 1956, and the Finns continue to be one of the largest per capita contributors of peacekeepers in the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.ottawacitizen.com ...
and if they’re ever employed in anger, their opponents will be FINISHED!
Darn, I thought we were going to sell Finland. Pay off some of our debts.
Gotta say, for Finland, this is about as “strategic” a move as they’ve made in the post-war era.
Stealthy stand-off medium range cruise missiles are quite the buy. The Fins have been pretty much meat-and-potatoes conventional munitions and aircraft buyers. Don’t want to peave the Russians but wanting to still display an effort at defending themselves in solidarity with their Western European neighbors.
Interesting......
We can trust the Finns. They have sissu.
Citizen of the galaxy.
In 2007, Finland wanted Lockheed Martin’s stealthy AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles, in order to arm its F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters. Despite a history of good relations, in 2007, the US State Department said no.
Fast forward to 2008. The Russian invasion of Georgia, and Germany’s response, upset more than a few calculations in the region. As NATO weakens, the Nordic nations appear to be moving toward an informal defense compact of their own. Finland, whose memories of Russian invasion are still vivid, repeated its request for stealthy cruise missiles – with 2 alternative buys waiting in the wings. In 2011, Finland finally got what it wanted…
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Finland-to-Buy-Cruise-Missiles-for-its-Hornets-05370/
I can't say that enough times to satisfy myself.
Oct 31/11: Stingers for Finland? The US DSCA announces [PDF] Finland’s official request to buy the latest model FIM-92 Stinger man-portable air defense missiles, and associated equipment. At this stage, there are no reports confirming that the Stinger has been picked over the other contenders. As such, it’s possible that the request is just a way to ensure sales clearance, and hence the Stinger’s eligibility for the competition. If Finland does in fact choose the Stinger and signs a contract, the request involves:
600 FIM-92 Stinger Reprogrammable Micro-Processor (RMP) Block 1 Anti-Aircraft missiles
10 Stinger Block 1 Production Verification Flight Test missiles
110 Gripstock Block 1 Control Groups. These are the carryable launchers.
110 Night Sights
1827 Battery Coolant Units
2 GCU-31A/E Gas Charging Units
16 Tracking Head Trainers (THT) and metal containers
50 Field Handling Trainers (FHT) and metal containers
1 Stinger Troop Proficiency Trainer
1 Launch Simulator
Plus refurbishment, upgrades, spare and repair parts, tools and tool sets, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, and other forms of U.S. Government and contractor support.
The estimated cost is up to $330 million, and the prime contractor would be Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ. Implementation would require 10 U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Finland for a period of 8 weeks for equipment checkout and training.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Finland-Updating-Its-Air-Defense-Systems-05398/
And that amazing sniper who pretty much single-handedly decimated the Russians.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.