Australia - MACS, XM982 Block Ia-1 Excalibur Projectiles

(Washington, April 21, 2008) -- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of Modular Artillery Charge Systems and XM982 Block Ia-1 Excalibur Projectiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $58 million.

The Government of Australia requested a possible sale of 2,400 Modular Artillery Charge Systems (MACS), 250 XM982 Block Ia-1 Excalibur Unitary Projectiles with base bleed units, 43 Portable Excalibur Fire Control Systems (PEFCS), 43 AN/PRC-119 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) w/o GPS, training ammunition, containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representatives' engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $58 million.

Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia's efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan have had a significant impact on regional, political, and economic stability and have served U.S. national security interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.

The proposed sale will enhance Australia's defensive capabilities and increase interoperability with United States and multi-national forces supporting coalition operations. The country will have no difficulty absorbing this new capability into its military.

Source : US Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Recent News / Press releases from US Defense Security Cooperation Agency

• Republic of Korea - Various Munitions and Weapon Systems [Defence] [ Tue 24 Jun 2008 ]
• Canada - M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers [Defence] [ Thu 19 Jun 2008 ]
• Israel - T-6A Texan Aircraft [Defence] [ Tue 10 Jun 2008 ]
• Spain - Block IV TOMAHAWK Land Attack Missiles [Defence] [ Thu 5 Jun 2008 ]
• Australia - Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures Systems [Defence] [ Thu 22 May 2008 ]
• Romania - F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft [Defence] [ Tue 20 May 2008 ]
• Korea - AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles [Defence] [ Thu 15 May 2008 ]