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The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of aircraft-protection systems to the United Kingdom valued at an estimated $160 million, saying the package would bolster the defenses of a key NATO ally without altering the military balance in Europe.
The proposed Foreign Military Sale covers 36 Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies—28 to be installed and eight held as spares—and 18 AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system processor replacements, with 10 to be installed and eight designated as spares, the department said.
Non–major defense equipment in the package includes LAIRCM user data module cards, missile warning sensors, and support gear; testing and test equipment; modifications and maintenance support; aircraft components and accessories; spare parts and consumables; repair-and-return services; software delivery and support; publications and technical documentation; and U.S. government engineering, technical, and logistics assistance, along with other program support elements.
Washington said the sale would advance U.S. foreign policy and national security interests by improving the security of the United Kingdom, which it described as “an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.” The equipment is intended to improve protection for large air mobility platforms and help ensure the Royal Air Force’s operational readiness. The U.K. is expected to integrate the systems without difficulty, according to the announcement.
LAIRCM systems are designed to detect incoming infrared-guided missiles and use laser-based countermeasures to disrupt their seekers, protecting large aircraft such as transports and tankers during takeoff, landing, and operations in high-threat environments.
The department emphasized that the proposed sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” The principal contractor would be The Boeing Company, based in Arlington, Virginia.
State Department approvals of potential Foreign Military Sales trigger a congressional review. For NATO allies such as the United Kingdom, Congress typically has 15 days to raise any objections. The value and scope of the deal can change during final negotiations.
