The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Spain valued at approximately $1.7bn, which would see the mid-life upgrade of the country’s F-100 frigates and the provision of related equipment and services.
Spain requested a range of systems and equipment including five shipsets of the AEGIS Weapon System, six shipsets of Digital Signal Processor, five shipsets of MK 41 Baseline VIII Vertical Launching System, and five shipsets of Next Generation Surface Search Radar.
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The request also covers non-major defence equipment articles such as ultra high frequency satellite communications radio terminal systems, Global Positioning System Miniature Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver Engines with M-Code, and AN/SRQ-4 Ku-band hardware.
It includes materials for upgrading NIXIE SLQ-25A to SLQ-25E, MK 331 Torpedo Setting Panels, MK 32 surface vessel torpedo tube upgrades, and support for the MK 45 Mod 2 and Mod 2B Gun Weapon System.
Additional elements in the proposed package include efforts related to modernisation, system integration and testing, munitions support, spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return services.
It also includes software delivery and support in both classified and unclassified formats, technical documentation, personnel training and associated equipment, studies and surveys, as well as contractor logistics support.
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By GlobalDataThe main contractors identified for this potential sale are Lockheed Martin, RTX, Ultra Maritime Naval Systems and Sensors, and General Dynamics.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has already informed Congress of the proposed transaction as part of the required certification process.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” DSCA said in a statement.
The agency also indicated that there would be no adverse effect on US defence readiness if the sale proceeds.
If implemented, the sale is expected to help Spain modernise five AEGIS-equipped frigates in its fleet.
This modernisation aims to bolster Spain’s ability to carry out defence missions and improve interoperability with US and Nato forces for theatre ballistic missile defence.
As part of the implementation process, US government and contractor personnel would travel temporarily to Spain for programme oversight, technical reviews, training and maintenance support.
