Breaking news
United States gave green light to Jordan for the purchase of 72 M31 Unitary GMLRS Rocket Pods.
|
|
|||
|
Defence & Security News - Jordan
|
|||
|
|
|||
| United States gave green light to Jordan for the purchase of 72 M31 Unitary GMLRS Rocket Pods | |||
|
The United States approved a $192 million sale of a ground-based multiple rocket launch system to Jordan, the US Department of State said in a statement on Thursday. “The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Jordan for M31 Unitary Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) Rocket Pods and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $192 million,” the statement said.
|
|||
|
|
|||
 Jordanian Armed Forces' HIMARS Multiple Launch Rocket System |
|||
|
|
|||
|
The Government of Jordan has requested a possible sale of 72 M31 Unitary Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) Rocket Pods (6 rockets per pod for a total of 432), support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, personnel training and equipment, systems integration support, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $192 million. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, Texas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. The approval comes after King of Jordan visited Washington last month to request an increase in arms sales to fight the Islamic State (IS). The State Department explained the sale will contribute to US foreign policy and national security by helping to improve the security of a partner country continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The proposed sale of GMLRS will improve Jordan’s capability to meet current and future threats on its borders and provide greater security for its economic infrastructure. The GMLRS will provide the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) a long-range precision artillery support capability that will significantly improve U.S.-JAF interoperability and provide for the defense of vital installations. “It is vital to the US national interest that Jordan develops and maintains a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the statement said. The M31, which is the only variant currently being purchased by the U.S. military, integrates a multi-mode fuze and high explosive warhead, making it an all-weather, low collateral damage, precision strike rocket. It employs GPS/INS guidance and has small canards on the rocket nose to improve accuracy. The M31 has a range of over 43.5 miles (70 km). With over 2,100 rockets fired in support of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) by the US Army, US Marine Corps and United Kingdom, the M31 rocket has demonstrated high effectiveness and low collateral damage while supporting troops in combat. The M31 achieved Initial Operational Capability in 2006. |
|||