Germany, Belgium to procure MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes

The U.S. State Department on Thursday approved the sale of MK 54 lightweight torpedoes (LWTs) manufactured by Raytheon, to Germany and Belgium.

The German Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract worth $130 million is to procure 64 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight torpedoes and ten MK 54 Conversion Kits to be used with fleet exercise sections as MK 54 Exercise torpedoes.  Also included are torpedo containers; Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers; Fleet Exercise Section (FES) and fuel tanks to be used with MK 54 conversion kits (procured as MDE); air launch accessories for fixed wing; torpedo spare parts; training, publications, support and test equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The proposed sale will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats by upgrading the Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities on Germany’s P-3C aircraft.

The Belgian FMS contract valued $33.3 million includes supply of 29 All Up Round MK 54 Mod 0 LWTs, two Fleet Exercise Section conversion kits, torpedo support equipment, training and publications, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The Belgian Navy is phasing out its inventory of MK 46 torpedoes.  The MK 54 will give them the ability to engage submarines from its fleet of NH-90 helicopters and the new generation of Multi-Mission Frigates.