WASHINGTON -- Poland wants to buy 70 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles Extended Range (JASSM-ER) missiles for its F-16 fighter jets, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which notified Congress Monday.
The estimated cost of the deal is $200 million and includes missiles designed for testing as well as simulators. The contract would also include integration, spares and repair parts, and training and contractor-supplied engineering, technical and logistics support. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor.
Poland already purchased the non-extended range version of JASSM in 2014. The missiles were to be delivered from 2016 to 2019, with the Polish Air Force reaching initial operational capability with the weapon in March 2017.
The extended-range version entered service with the US Air Force in 2014.
While Poland had hoped to move forward with a JASSM-ER deal earlier, the change in government in October 2015 prompted the new defense minister to develop his own procurement policy which slowed down some programs. Sources in Poland say the JASSM-ER contract is expected to be signed in December.
This marks one foreign military sales contract to likely firm up before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.
And while it’s difficult to assess exactly how Trump will differ in the handling of FMS deals, analysts are concerned that sales in the Gulf region and in Europe could be affected by either the policies of the next administration or the statements of the next president.
Poland, for instance -- which is poised to embark on several major programs from air defense to helicopters to more rockets and missiles as part of a big push to modernize its military and increase its defenses against a continuously aggressive Russia -- could be the country to watch as Trump’s relationships and policies unfold when it comes to foreign sales and agreements.
Jaroslaw Adamowski in Poland contributed to this report.
Jen Judson is an award-winning journalist covering land warfare for Defense News. She has also worked for Politico and Inside Defense. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College.
