US approves Patriot missiles sale to Netherlands worth $241m

Europe, News, US September 25, 2020 , by IRIA No Comments

The Netherlands has requested to buy 34 Patriot missiles

The U.S. State Department has decided to sell $241 million worth of Patriot Advanced Capability‑3 (PAC-3) to the Dutch Government, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has announced.

The Netherlands is expected to buy thirty-four (34) PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles an estimated cost of $241 million.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally” described in the DSCA statement as “an important force for political stability and economic progress in Northern Europe”.

The statement said that the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The Foreign Military Sale to the Dutch Government will also include: eight (8) kitted 2-pack PAC-3 MSE Missile Round Trainers (MRT), six (6) kitted 2-pack PAC-3 MSE Empty Round Trainers (ERT), four (4) PAC-3 MSE Skid Kits, one (1) Lot of Classified PAC-3 MSE Concurrent Spare Parts (CSPs), one (1) Lot of Unclassified PAC-3 MSE CSPs, and PAC-3 MSE repair and return processing support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The proposed sale “will improve the Netherlands’ missile defense capability to meet current and future enemy threats. The Netherlands will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats, and provide direct support to coalition and security cooperation efforts.”

Lockheed-Martin, Dallas, will be the prime contractor.

The DSCA notice serves as a declaration of a potential sale and does not suggest the sale has been concluded.