United States authorises possible sale of APKWS II guidance sections to Italy

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The United States Government has approved the potential sale to the Italian Armed Forces of thousands of guidance sections for rockets fitted with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II). Submitted to the US Congress under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, the notification is valued at US$364 million.

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APKWS II guidance sections and associated equipment for Italy

According to official information, Italy has requested the purchase of 5,031 WGU-59B/B guidance sections in the APKWS II single-guidance-section configuration. The proposed package also includes the additional equipment required to operate these systems, including LAU-131/A/A launchers, Mk-152 high-explosive warheads, MK66 rocket motors, proximity fuzes and WTU-1/B practice warheads, as well as inert MK66 motors.

APKWS II is intended to convert unguided 70 mm rockets into precision munitions through the addition of a WGU-59/B laser guidance section. The approach makes use of existing components, including rocket motors and several warhead types, lowering the costs linked to procuring and using guided munitions. BAE Systems, based in Nashua, New Hampshire, is the programme’s principal contractor.

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Support services and NATO air defence contribution

Alongside the weapons and their components, the possible sale includes support equipment, publications and technical documentation, transport, and engineering, technical assistance and logistics support services supplied by the US Government and contractors. The DSCA also stated that the United States is not currently aware of any industrial offset agreement associated with the potential transaction.

As stated by the Department of State, introducing these systems will enable Italy to improve its ability to counter current and future threats, strengthening both the defence of its territory and its capacity to contribute to the protection of allied ground forces. Washington also maintains that the expanded capability will reinforce Italy’s contribution to NATO integrated air and missile defence, without changing the region’s fundamental military balance.

The authorisation adds to DSCA records concerning the WGU-59B/B, whose guidance section is officially listed among articles subject to US security cooperation mechanisms. The APKWS II system therefore offers a lower-cost option than other guided munitions by providing precision to 70 mm rockets already used by various air platforms.

Photographs used for illustrative purposes.