The Finnish Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of Northrop Grumman anti-radiation missiles for its future F-35 aircraft, 12 months after the US approved the sale.
Under an estimated $500 million deal, Helsinki has procured up to 150 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER).
The deal also includes Dummy Air Training Missiles, missile containers, software, training, support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, transportation, US Government and contractor engineering, and other technical and logistical support services.
Further, the defense ministry said that “the missile system will be delivered in line with the Air Force’s future F-35A multirole fighter deployment schedule,” with the first batch anticipated for delivery from 2026 to 2030.
These supersonic, medium-range, tactical missiles enhance the survivability of Finland’s F-35s against adversarial ground-based air defense systems and mobile targets, strengthen defense capabilities, and boost interoperability with allies amid current and future threats.
Earlier this month, the US approved the sale of up to 100 AARGM-ERs for the Royal Australian Air Force’s EA-18G Growlers.