The United States has agreed to sell modern targeting systems for Malaysia’s fleet of F/A-18D fighters.
Under a proposed $80 million agreement approved by the Department of State, the U.S. government will supply the Royal Malaysian Air Force with 10 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper advanced targeting pods.
As requested by Kuala Lumpur, the deal will also provide technical data and publications, personnel training, software and training equipment, engineering, technical and logistics services, and elements of logistics and program support.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the possible foreign military sale will enhance Malaysia’s defense capabilities, which the United States views as a critical element to political and economic stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The government-to-government deal will modernize Malaysia’s combat planes, mitigate the obsolescence issues of the country’s F/A-18D platform, and enable the RMAF to meet future operational requirements. The DSCA said the proposed FMS sale will also advance the United States’ foreign policy goals and national security objectives in the region.
The U.S. government has identified Boeing and Lockheed Martin as the principal contractors to meet the purchase request.
The State Department consented to the latest weapons sale as Lockheed Martin expanded its AN/AAQ-33 production line in the United Kingdom to meet the increasing demand from NATO countries and other international customers for the advanced targeting system.
