The State Department has approved a $1.275 billion FMS for Poland, including 360 AGM-88G AARGM-ER.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) provided the necessary certification, informing Congress of the probable sale. Poland has requested 360 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) All Up Rounds. The anticipated overall cost is $1.275 billion.
The primary contractor will be Northrop Grumman Systems.
The AGM-88G was specially developed to provide a long-range standoff capability, namely an ability to destroy radars outside the range of anti-aircraft systems around the targeted radar. It then makes it possible to blind the anti-aircraft battery using the radar and to create a hole in the enemy anti-aircraft bubble. Thus, in the standoff, this missile allows combat aircraft to destroy the radars of anti-aircraft systems, which can go up to a long range. Conversely, it also offers a stand-in capability to combat aircraft: they can enter the protection bubble of even longer-range systems, such as the S-400. This anti-radar missile is the latest variant of the AGM-88 HARM but in a completely redesigned, or even boosted, version: its speed is greater than Mach 4, and its range is greater than 300 kilometres. The AARGM-ER fits into the internal bay of the F-35 Lightning II. The Netherlands acquires 46 F-35s, while Poland purchases 32 F-35As.
