The US has approved the sale of 3,000 AGM-179A JAGM missiles for AH-64E Apache helicopters to the UK at a cost of nearly $1bn

The UK has moved closer to buying AGM-179A JAGM (Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles) air-to-ground missiles. The UK's request has been approved by the US State Department.

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Within 30 days, the potential deal will be reviewed by the US Congress. The potential sale will be carried out under the FMS (Foreign Military Sale) programme.

The UK has requested 3,000 AGM-179A JAGM missiles worth $957.4m. The contract also includes technical and logistical support, missile mock-ups, logistics and related equipment.

The AGM-179A JAGMs will be carried by AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The potential sale will allow the United States to support foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening a NATO ally.

The AGM-179A JAGM is designed as a replacement for the BGM-71 TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-65 Maverick missiles. It has a launch range of 8 kilometres. Lockheed Martin tested the JAGM-Medium Range last autumn. The missile flew 16 kilometres.

Source: DSCA