US Approves $150 Million Hellfire Missile Sale To UK

The US State Department approved $150 million for the sale of 1,000 AGM-114-R1/R2 Hellfire Semi-Active Laser (SAL) missiles with logistics support services and other related program support to the United Kingdom.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

This proposed sale directly contributes to the foreign policy and national security policies of the United States by enhancing the close air support capability of the UK in support of NATO and other coalition operations. Commonality between close air support capabilities greatly increases interoperability between our two countries’ military and peacekeeping forces and allows for greater burden sharing, DSCA said in a press release.

The proposed sale improves the UK’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing close air support to counter enemy attacks on coalition ground forces in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR) and other areas, as needed.The UK already has Hellfire missiles in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles.

There is no principal contractor for this sale as the missiles are coming from US stock.