The US State Department has formally approved the foreign military sale of the Tomahawk Block V and Block IV All Up Rounds (AUR) and related equipment for an estimated cost of AU$1.3 billion (US$895 million) to Australia.
Under the deal, the Australian government requested up to 200 Tomahawk Block V All Up Rounds (AUR) (RGM-109E) and up to 20 Tomahawk Block IV AUR (RGM-109E). Also included is support for all three segments of Australia’s Tomahawk Weapon System (TWS) to include the AUR, the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System (TTWCS), and the Theatre Mission Planning Center (TMPC).
The support consists of unscheduled missile maintenance, spares, procurement, training, in-service support, software, hardware, communication equipment, operational flight test, engineering and technical expertise to maintain the TWS capability, and other related elements of logistical and program support.
The US State Department states, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability.”
The Tomahawk Block IV Tactical Tomahawk, or TACTOM, has a data link that allows it to switch targets while in flight — the Block IV can loiter for hours and change course instantly on command.
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