Netherlands authorized to purchase stealth cruise missiles for its F-35 fighter jets

The US State Department has approved a possible military sale to the Government of the Netherlands of JASSM-ER extended-range, low radar signature air-to-surface cruise missiles and associated equipment, at an estimated cost of $908 million, to equip its F-35 fighters.

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The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a statement reporting approval for the sale of the following major items:

• 120 AGM-158B/B-2 Extended Range Air-to-Surface Missiles (JASSM-ER);
• 15 AGM-158 JASSMs inert missiles, with measurement instrument kits;
• 2 AGM-158 JASSMs Separation Test Vehicles;
• 1 AGM-158 Instrumented Test Vehicle;
• 2 JASSMs Jettison Test Vehicles.

Also included are AGM-158 JASSM Dummy Air Training Missiles (DATM) and containers; KGV-135A encryption devices; test and integration equipment and support; spare parts, consumables, accessories; personnel training and training equipment; etc. The total estimated cost is $908 million.

The Netherlands Ministry of Defense’s intention to equip its F-35 Lightning IIs with the JASSM-ER long-range missiles had been announced in April 2023.

As the development of the Rapid Dragon program progresses, AGM-158B/B-2 missiles could also be deployed (once certified) from the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s future C-390 Millennium fleet.

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Misil JASSM-ER

JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range) is a long-range, subsonic, conventional, air-to-ground, precision-guided, low radar signature missile designed to engage high-value, fixed or relocatable targets.

With a launch weight of 2,000 pounds (including a powerful 1,000-pound warhead), JASSM can be employed against well-fortified targets in adverse weather conditions, day or night, using a state-of-the-art infrared seeker and an enhanced digital GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning system to mark specific impact points.