U.S. State Department approves Romanian request for AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles

By Defence Industry Europe

The U.S. State Department has approved Romania's request to purchase a significant batch of RTX AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II guided missiles.

 

This request, detailed in a document now headed to the U.S. Congress for further authorization, outlines Romania’s interest in acquiring up to 300 combat-ready AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles, along with 40 spare guidance units and 40 CATM-9X Block II training missiles. The package also includes spare parts, diagnostic and maintenance equipment, and training and logistical support, with a total estimated cost of $381 million. RTX Corporation, the manufacturer, is designated as the contractor for this potential sale.

 

 

 

 

Romania plans to equip its growing fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon multirole combat aircraft with these missiles. Currently, the Romanian Air Force operates 23 F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons, with 17 acquired from Portugal and an additional 6 delivered from Norway since the end of last year, part of a larger order of 32 aircraft.

 

 

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Previously, to support its first squadron of 17 F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons purchased from Portugal, Romania bought around 50 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles from the United States through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Additionally, Bucharest has contracted a small batch of AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM missiles, with expectations of further orders in the near future.

 

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