US State Department approves $110 million sale of Mk 41 VLS vertical launcher systems to the Netherlands

The Netherlands has moved closer to purchasing Mk 41 VLS vertical launcher systems for installation on ships. The potential deal has been approved by the US State Department.

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The day before, a statement to this effect was published on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The amount of the contract is $110. If the deal goes through, the Netherlands will receive spare parts and additional equipment, in addition to eight Mk 41 VLS systems for eight cells.

Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractor. The sale of the systems to a European country will not harm US national security. The deal will be considered by the US Congress within 30 days.

The Mk 41 VLS is a unified ship-based vertical launch system. It is used to launch Tomahawk, RUR 5 ACPOK, RIM-162 ESSM, Sea Sparrow, Standard Missile 2 and Standard Missile 3 missiles. The Mk 41 VLS is installed on the Dutch De Zeven Provinciënklasse frigates.

Source: DSCA