The U.S. State Department has determined to authorize the possible sale of more than 200 GBU-39 SDB guided bombs and as many Mk-82 dumb bombs to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
According to press release issued by the Defense and Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) the airdrop weaponry package, offered via FMS (Foreign Military Sales), would cost $22.7 million and would consist of the following items:
- 279 GBU-39/B Increment 1 guided bombs
- 204 FMU-152 fuses
- 204 MK-82 500LB general-purpose bombs
- 50 hard target penetrator bombs BLU-109 2000LB
Also included are smoke signal cartridges; technical and engineering support and assistance; and other items related to logistics and program support.
The document specifies that these munitions may be used by the combat aviation of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom; 12 NATO member countries, and one that is close to becoming one.
See also: What will Sweden and Finland contribute to NATO air power?
The main contractors for the purchase of the weapons are the Boeing Corporation and Raytheon Missile Systems.
