Australia to spend $512 million to purchase JSM and LRASM missiles for F-35, F/A-18 and P-8A aircraft

The Australian Defense Force is ready to spend more than half a billion dollars to arm the aircraft.

Royal Air Force with American anti-ship missiles. Information about this appeared in April, and now we have learned more details.

What is known

The procurement project is called AIR 3023 Phase 1.It is aimed at acquiring weapons capable of striking targets at sea. The Australian Defense Force has provided funds for the purchase of Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) anti-ship missiles.

</ img>

By the end of this year, Australia will spend onpurchase of weapons AU$333 ($227 million). Funding over five years will be AU$751 ($512 million). JSM and LRASM missiles will be equipped with P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft, as well as F-35 Lightning II and F / A-18 Super Hornet fighters.

JSM is an aviation variant of the Naval missile.Strike Missile (NSM). It has a weight of 416 kg and can hit ships at a distance of 275 km. The maximum launch range of LRASM is 370 km. Both missiles are subsonic, i.e. develop a speed of less than 343 m / s.

</ img>

JSM and LRASM will be purchased under the MilitaryUS Sales (FMS). This is a form of assistance that is provided under the Arms Export Control Act. The program is financed from the US budget and the budgets of the countries that participate in it.

Source: Breaking Defense