The US State Department has approved a potential $215-million foreign military sale of Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) to the Netherlands.
Amsterdam requested 296 AGM-179A JAGMs from US defense contractor Lockheed Martin, along with captive air training missiles, tactical aviation ground munition program office technical assistance, and related training, parts, and support.
These will be equipped on the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, supporting its defense modernization efforts and enhancing interoperability with NATO allies.
As part of the deal, three US government and three contractor representatives are required to travel to the Netherlands twice a year to support equipment fielding and training, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency noted.
The JAGM
The JAGM is a precision-guided missile designed to replace the Hellfire munition.
It is launched from the US Army’s Apache and the US Marine Corps AH-1Z choppers, as well as other compatible aerial platforms in the Czech Republic, France, and Poland, which are expecting to receive JAGMs following a 2024 order.
However, Lockheed is also developing naval launch capabilities for the JAGM, including vertical launch system compatibility for medium and large surface vessels, with sea-launch tests planned for 2025.
The 69.2-inch (175.8 centimeters), 113.5-pound (51.5 kilograms) missile is powered by a solid rocket motor and has a range of more than 4.9 miles (7.8 kilometers).
It uses a multi-purpose warhead effective against moving armored vehicles, naval platforms, and stationary fortified structures.
It integrates a multi-mode seeker combining semi-active laser guidance for pinpoint accuracy and millimeter wave radar for fire-and-forget targeting, improving engagement flexibility and troop survivability.
