Italy gets permission to buy HIMARS, related equipment

Rome: Italy wants to buy $400 million in military equipment, much of it manufactured at Camden’s Highland Industrial Park.

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Italy of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Italy has requested to 21 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); and one M31A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Unitary (GMLRS-U) High Explosive (HE) Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS).

Also included are Universal Fielding Modules; towbar toolkits and sets; crypto-fill cable; AN/PRC-158 Multi-Channel Tactical Radio installation kits; Multi-Channel AN/PRC-158 radios; RF-7800i CU100 radio router; HARRIS installation kits for 160W high frequency (HF) radio system; HF AN/PRC-160W-HF radios; Simple Key Loader (SKL) AN/PYQ-10 (C); RF-7800i Tactical Intercom System installation kit; RF7800i Tactical Intercom System; Fire Control Panel Trainer (FCPT) hardware and software; Missile Common Test Device Trainer (MCTD-T), slim; Panasonic Toughbook ruggedized laptop with 30ft cables and power adapters and internal CD ROM drive; RF-7800i Tactical Intercom System training hardware; RF-7800i and CU100 training rigs, test equipment, and Golden System for operator and maintenance training; Launcher Adapter Group (LAG) and Sling; Launcher Control Unit (LCU); Weapons Control Unit (WCU); MCTD V.4 hardware and spares; MCTD V.4 software and publications; spare parts; Maintenance Support Device (MSD) V.4; Wireless AT-Platform Test Set (WATS); guided missile organizational tool kit; Hydraulic Servicing Unit (HSU); Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) development; Direct Support (DS)/General Support (GS) tool kits; Gas Particulate Filter Unit (GPFU); Forward Repair System (FRS); Positioning Navigation Assembly (PNA) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Global Positioning System/Precise Positioning Service (GPS/PPS); Common MLRS SPORT Test Program Set (CMST) hardware and software development; mobile Standard Automotive Tool Set (SATS); RF7800i Tactical Intercom System spare package; Technical Manual Unit organizational Repair Parts and Special Tools List (RPSTL); Technical Manual operator’s manual; Launch POD/container (LP/C) trainer M68A2; GMLRS-U flight surveillance kit; and other related elements of program and logistic support.

This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security by helping to improve the security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ally which is an important partner for political stability and economic progress in Europe. Italy requests these capabilities to provide for the defense of deployed troops, regional security, and interoperability with the United States.

The proposed sale will improve Italy’s capability to meet current and future threats and enhance its interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces. Italy will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Grand Prairie, TX.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 10 U.S. Government and 10 contractor representatives annually to Italy for a period of one week. U.S. Government or contractor representatives travel to Italy will be required for program management reviews and New Equipment Training.