U.S. approves military sale to Italy for single-variant guidance section of the air-to-air Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $364 million Foreign Military Sale to Italy for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II (APKWS-II) guidance sections and associated equipment, aiming to bolster the NATO ally’s air defense capabilities.

Italy has requested 5,031 WGU-59/B guidance sections for the single-variant, air-to-air configuration of APKWS-II. The package also includes LAU-131 A/A launchers, Mk-152 high-explosive warheads, MK66 rocket motors, proximity fuzes, WTU-1/B practice warheads, inert MK66 rocket motors, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, transportation, and U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support.

The State Department said the proposed sale would enhance Italy’s ability to meet current and future threats, strengthen homeland defense, deter regional threats, and improve its contribution to NATO’s integrated air and missile defense. The transaction would not alter the basic military balance in the region, and Italy is expected to integrate the equipment without difficulty.

BAE Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire, is the principal contractor. The U.S. government is not aware of any offset agreements tied to the potential sale; any offsets would be determined in negotiations between the buyer and contractor. Implementation will not require assigning additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to Italy.

The APKWS system equips 70mm rockets with a semi-active laser guidance kit, converting them into precision munitions. The air-to-air variant is designed to engage small aerial threats with reduced collateral risk. As with all Foreign Military Sales, the proposed deal remains subject to congressional review and final contract negotiations.