The United States State Department approved on Wednesday (24) two possible sales of anti-radar missiles to the Netherlands and Poland. Valued at US$700 million and US$1.27 billion, respectively, the sales must still be approved by North American congressmen.

In a note, the Security and Defense Cooperation Agency (DSCA) gives the green light for the sale of 265 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) missiles to the Netherlands and 360 missiles of the same model to Poland. The two sales include training missiles, spare parts and repair materials, manufacturer technical support and other items. 

DSCA also says sales support “the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States” and improve the security of NATO Allies "which is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.” In both cases, the agency highlights that the countries will not have difficulty integrating the new missiles into their armed forces.

Developed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman, the AGM-88G is an upgraded version of the AGM-88E AARGM, designed especially for the F-35. This is because the previous version would not fit in the aircraft's weapons bay, consequently affecting its stealth capacity. 

The new generation missile uses the same sensors, warhead and a modified version of the common control section of the AGM-88E, mounted on a new fuselage and with a more powerful engine. Also called anti-radiation missile, the weapon is used in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missiles, fired at radars at anti-aircraft sites. The US Navy has been working to integrate the AARGM-ER into its fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic attack jets. 

The purchase of the missiles will reinforce the F-35s of the Netherlands and Poland. While the Netherlands is already operating the stealth jet, the Eastern European nation is still awaiting delivery of the 5th generation fighters, the first units of which are expected to arrive in the country in 2026.