Raytheon has signed a $34.3-million deal with the US Department of Defense to continue providing technical support for US warships’ Sea Sparrow missile systems.
The contract also includes support for those purchased by Chile and Japan.
Tokyo will commit 13 million yen ($92,000) for the program, while Santiago is set to provide around 2 million Chilean pesos ($2,400).
Engineering for the system will commence in Arizona and Rhode Island and is scheduled to be completed by December 2025.
Sea Sparrow Service
Designed to be a lightweight “point defense” weapon, the Sea Sparrow can be utilized as both a surface-to-air and air-to-air missile.
The Sea Sparrow’s ability to be retrofitted easily to existing defense systems made it a prime air-defense capability for Ukraine in the midst of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Belgium supplied eight of the missiles to the country in 2023 as part of a 150,000 euro ($161,000) aid package, acquiring them from a decommissioned German frigate.
Launch systems for the missiles were developed by BAE Systems following a $37-million contract with the US Navy.