US flags possible Singapore sale of F-15 equipment

US flags possible Singapore sale of F-15 equipment

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) – The U.S. Defense Department notified Congress on Monday of a proposed $741 million sale to Singapore of weapons for Boeing Co. F-15 fighter jets, if Boeing wins the country’s fighter jet competition.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the contract would cover 200 AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to- Air Missiles (AMRAAM) built by Raytheon Co. , captive air training missiles, 50 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM); 200 AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles and other equipment.

DSCA said the proposed possible sale, which must still be approved by Congress, would help improve the security of a country that “has been and continues to be an important force for economic progress in Southeast Asia.”

The agency said there would be a separate notification to Congress for the sale of the actual fighter jets, if Chicago- based Boeing wins a $1 billion competition against French defense firm Dassault’s newer Rafale jet.

Singapore is expected to announce the winner of the competition soon.

DSCA, which oversees major arms sales to foreign countries, said Singapore needed the weapons to modernize its defensive capability, increase its ability to operate with U.S. forces and deter attacks on its ports and waterways.