The US State Department has approved a possible $264.6 million sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ and Block II missiles to the Government of Canada.
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of 48 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ and 120 Block II Tactical Missiles (plus associated guidance units and Captive Air Training Missiles) to the Government of Canada at an estimated cost of $264.6 million.
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is the latest version of the Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile, and is the most advanced short-range air-to-air missile in the US inventory. The Block II adds a redesigned fuze and a digital ignition safety device to improve handling and inflight safety. It is equipped with updated electronics, including a new weapon datalink to support a lock-on-after-launch capability and beyond visual range engagements. It is capable of using its datalink, thrust vectoring manoeuvrability, and advanced imaging infrared seeker to hit targets behind the launching fighter. The missile features a high off-boresight focal-plane array seeker mounted on a highly manoeuvrable airframe and has a greatly improved infrared counter-countermeasures feature. The AIM-9X incorporates many components from the legacy AIM-9M (including the rocket motor, warhead and active optical target detector), but offers much greater performance.
The principal contractor was identified as the RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, Arizona. The deal also includes spares, support equipment, training, and US Government and contractor technical, engineering, logistical, and programme support. It was stated that implementation of the proposed sale would require four US Government and four contractor representatives to travel to Canada on a temporary basis to perform technical oversight and support duties.
The numbers and cost quoted by the DSCA represented the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on Canada’s initial requirements, and the actual dollar value of any contract, if and when concluded, will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreements.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 15, 2024.
The DSCA noted that the proposed sale would improve Canada’s ability to deter aggression in the region, ensuring interoperability with US forces, and strengthening Canada’s homeland defence, thereby supporting the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Canada was described as a “NATO Ally that is an important force for ensuring political stability and economic progress and is a contributor to military, peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations around the world.”
The DSCA notification contained the usual reassurances to the effect that Canada would have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces, and that the proposed sale of this equipment would not alter the basic military balance in the region, nor impose any adverse impact on US defence readiness.
