U.S. clears $3.7B weapons sale to Denmark
The State Department has approved two major Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Denmark, authorizing the transfer of advanced U.S. air-to-air missiles and a ground-based air defense system with an estimated combined value of $3.73 billion.
According to a press release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Denmark has been cleared to purchase 200 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for approximately $730 million. The DSCA delivered the required certification to Congress as part of the notification process.
The sale package includes three AIM-120C-8 guidance sections, AMRAAM control sections, containers, support equipment, spare parts, consumables, weapons software, technical documentation, and associated U.S. Government and contractor support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the agency said.
The missiles are intended to strengthen the Royal Danish Air Force’s air-to-air capabilities and increase interoperability with U.S. and allied forces. “Denmark will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” the DSCA said.
The principal contractor for the AMRAAM sale will be RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia. No offset agreements were disclosed at this stage, and implementation will not require U.S. personnel to be assigned to Denmark.
In a separate notification, the State Department also approved the sale of the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) with Indirect Fire Protection Capability to Denmark. The estimated value of this package is $3.0 billion.
Denmark requested to buy 24 All-Up Round Magazines, eight IFPC Increment 2 launchers, two Sentinel A4 radars, and multiple IBCS components including Engagement Operations Centers, Integrated Collaborative Environments, and Fire Control Network relays.
The package includes various communications systems, training systems, support vehicles, encryption tools, field office support, and long-term technical assistance. The DSCA said that 9-14 U.S. Government and 12-17 contractor personnel will travel to Denmark for up to seven years for system delivery, training, and logistics.
“The proposed sale will improve Denmark’s capability to meet current and future threats and enhance its interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces,” the DSCA said. It also emphasized the system’s role in strengthening Denmark’s medium- and long-range ground-based air defense.
The prime contractors for the IBCS program include RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin (Syracuse, NY), Leidos Inc. (Reston, VA), and Northrop Grumman (Falls Church, VA). As with the AMRAAM sale, no offset arrangements have been reported.
Both sales were described as not altering the basic military balance in the region, and neither is expected to affect U.S. defense readiness.
