US approves $780m Stinger missiles and defense equipment sale for Germany, Netherlands and Italy

Europe, News, US December 26, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States Department of State has approved a possible sale of 940 Stinger missiles and related equipment to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency for Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the Congress of the possible sale for NATO allies. The estimated total cost of the missiles and related military hardware is $780 million.

According to the DSCA release, “The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), as Lead Nation on behalf of Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, has requested to buy nine hundred forty (940) FIM-92K Stinger Block I Missiles.”

The proposed sale for European allies of the United States also includes Battery Coolant Units (BCU), metal containers, technical and engineering assistance, as well as other related elements of logistics and program support.

With the acquisition of Stinger missiles, NATO member states would be able to improve their air defense capabilities and further enhance their ability to defend their territorial integrity as well as promote regional stability, the DSCA statement read.

U.S. troops fire Stinger missile from Stryker vehicle — *^{U.S. troops fire Stinger missile from their Stryker armored fighting vehicle during Saber Strike military drill in Rutja, Estonia, on March 10, 2022. (Image Credit: Reuters/Ints Kalnins)}*

“The proposed sale supports NATO’s goal of improving national and territorial defense as well as improving interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces. Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into their armed forces,” it added.

U.S. leading defense manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Raytheon will be the main contractors for the proposed sale. The DSCA statement further highlighted that “Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any U.S. Government personnel or contractor representatives to NATO.”

FIM-92K Stinger portable missile systems are manufactured by U.S. defense firm Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The stinger missile system can be rapidly deployed by ground troops. At present, the system is deployed in 19 countries and with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European nations have taken significant measures to increase defense spending and upgrade their military arsenal. European countries have also increased the number of multilateral exercises and signed several defense agreements with fellow NATO member states.