The State Department of United States (US) has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy of Small Diameter Bomb II and related equipment.
The estimated total cost is $150 million
The Government of Italy has requested to buy
- one hundred twenty-five (125) Guided Bomb Unit (GBU)-53/B Small Diameter Bombs-Increment II (SDB-II) All-Up-Rounds (AURs)
- eight (8) GBU-53/B SDB-II Captive Carry Reliability Tests (CCRTs) that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was under the congressional notification threshold.
The original FMS case, valued at $22.5 million ($9.7 million in MDE), included twenty-four (24) GBU-53/B SDB-II AURs; and four (4) GBU-53/B SDB-II CCRTs.
The Government of Italy has also requested a new FMS case that includes twenty-four (24) GBU-53/B SDB-II AURs; and two (2) GBU-53/B SDB-II CCRTs.
This notification is for a combined total of one hundred seventy-three (173) GBU-53/B SDB-II AURs; and fourteen (14) GBU-53/B SDB-II CCRTs.
Also included are SDB-II Weapon Load Crew Trainers (WLCT) and Practical Explosive Ordnance Disposal Trainers (PEST); munitions support and support equipment; unclassified software delivery and support; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; modifications and maintenance support; unclassified publications and technical documentation; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. .
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve Italy’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving the Italian Air Force and Navy’s F-35 weapons capabilities.
Further, it will also advance United States interoperability with NATO and the Italian Armed Forces.
Italy already has the SDB-II in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
Noteworthy, the principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, Arlington, VA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Italy.
Source: https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/italy-small-diameter-bomb-ii
