Netherlands cleared to buy 386 AGM-114R2 Hellfire antitank missiles.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on February 2 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of Hellfire Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this sale.
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Loading of a Hellfire missile onto an AH-64E Apache (Picture source: U.S. Army/Capt. Brian Harris
16th Combat Aviation Brigade)

The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy up to three hundred eighty-six (386) Hellfire Air-to-Ground Missiles, AGM-114R2. Also included is U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) technical assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance; non-standard books, publications, and other Hellfire publications; integration support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $150 million.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin. The implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to the Netherlands for program management reviews to support the program.

The AGM-114 Hellfire, originally known as the "Heliborne laser, fire-and-forget missile," is an air-to-surface missile (ASM) initially designed for anti-armor purposes. Over time, its capabilities expanded to include precise drone strikes against various target types, particularly high-value ones. As a result, the colloquial name "Hellfire" eventually became its official designation.

This versatile missile features a multi-mission, multi-target precision-strike capability and can be launched from a variety of platforms, including aircraft, ships, and ground-based systems. Notably, it can be employed from drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. The Hellfire missile, falling into the 100-pound (45 kg) class of air-to-ground precision weapons, serves as the primary choice for armed forces in the United States and many other countries. It has also found use on surface platforms for both surface-to-surface and surface-to-air roles.

The AGM-114R "Romeo" Hellfire II, introduced into service in late 2012, incorporates a semi-active laser homing guidance system and a K-charge multipurpose warhead. This enhancement allows it to engage targets that previously required multiple variants of the Hellfire missile, such as the AGM-114K, M, N, and P, in U.S. military operations.

Key specifications of this missile include an impressive range of 8,000 meters (8,700 yards), precise semi-active laser homing for guidance, and a multi-function warhead designed to minimize collateral damage by reducing net explosive weight. With a weight of 49 kilograms (108 pounds) and a speed of Mach 1.3, the AGM-114 Hellfire measures 180 centimeters (5 feet 11 inches) in length.