The U.S. State Department has approved the sale to Spain of Aegis naval weapons systems for five new frigates at an estimated cost of $860.4 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a release.
The sale, which was announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 26 June, is includede five AEGIS Weapons Systems (AWS) MK7, six shipsets Digital Signal Processing, five shipsets AWS Computing Infrastructure MARK 1 MOD 0, five shipsets Operational Readiness Test Systems (ORTS), five shipsets MK 99 MOD 14 Fire Control System, five shipsets MK 41 Baseline VII Vertical Launching Systems (VLS), two All-Up-Round MK 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes, twenty SM-2 Block IIIB missiles and MK 13 canisters with AN/DKT-71 warhead compatible telemeter.
The proposed sale will improve the security of a NATO ally, in addition to being an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. Assisting Spain in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability is vital to the U.S. national interest, the State Department said in a press release.
The AEGIS systems will be on Spain’s five new F-110 frigates, which will improve the flexibility and capability of Spain’s fleet to counter regional threats and continue to enhance stability in the region. Spain already has five AEGIS frigates and is proficient at operating the AEGIS system to its fullest extent.
The proposed sale will improve the security of a NATO ally, in addition to being an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. Assisting Spain in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability is vital to the U.S. national interest, the State Department said in a press release.
The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Company and General Dynamics, along with “a significant number of companies under contract with the U.S. Navy” that will provide components, systems and services under the effort. Current operators of Aegis include Australia, Japan, Norway and South Korea as well as Spain and the United States.
