The U.S. State Department has agreed to sell Poland AARGM-ER missiles, designed to combat radar. The value of the contract is expected to be USD 1.275 billion. The information was provided by the Pentagon-operated agency DSCA (The Defense Security The approval was communicated to Congress.
According to the DSCA announcement, Poland wants to buy 360 AARGM-ER missiles, as well as the equipment necessary for their use and spare parts. The contract is also expected to include the purchase of practice missiles.
According to the DSCA, the sale of the missiles to Poland will “support U.S. foreign policy objectives and national security” by “improving the security of a NATO ally” that is “a force for political stability and economic development in Europe.”
“The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the agency added.
DSCA stressed that the sale will increase Poland's ability to face current and future threats, by enhancing self-defense capabilities and destroying radar transmitters located on land and sea, used by air defense systems. This will ensure that Poland's possible adversary will not be able to use air defense sets, making it easier for Polish tactical aviation.
There is no offset agreement associated with the contract.
The AARGM-ER missiles are a modified version of the AGM-88 HARM missiles, classified as a precision-guided weapon of the U.S. supersonic air-to-ground missile class, used to destroy enemy radar devices, especially air defense systems. The missiles homing in on the source of radar-emitting signals.