US clears $691 million sale of advanced AIM-9X missiles to Netherlands

On September 6, 2024, the U.S. State Department greenlit a proposed Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of the Netherlands, involving AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles and related equipment, with a total estimated value of $691 million.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has formally notified Congress of this potential sale, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media sources.

The Netherlands has requested the purchase of:

• 246 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles
• 6 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder captive air training missiles (CATM)
• 2 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder special air training missiles
• 14 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical guidance units
• 2 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder CATM guidance units

Additionally, the package includes missile containers, spare parts, personnel training and training equipment, both classified and unclassified technical publications, warranties, and U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services, along with other related program support elements.

The principal contractor for this sale will be RTX Corporation, based in Tucson, AZ. No offset agreements are currently proposed for this potential transaction.

The AIM-9X Sidewinder, the latest iteration in the Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air missiles, features a state-of-the-art off-boresight focal-plane array seeker, a highly manoeuvrable airframe, and advanced infrared counter-countermeasures. Although it shares several components with the AIM-9M, such as the rocket motor, warhead, and active optical target detector, the AIM-9X offers significantly enhanced performance. It is versatile enough to engage both aerial and ground targets.

The AIM-9X Block II is the most advanced short-range air-to-air missile in the U.S. arsenal. Its datalink, thrust vectoring capabilities and advanced imaging infrared seeker provide it with the ability to target threats behind the launching aircraft, offering critical first-shot, first-kill opportunities essential for air combat manoeuvring in visual range.