The Department of Defense has notified Congress that the
Government of the Netherlands has requested the purchase of four
MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems, shipboard checkout and
operation of launch systems hardware and other elements of
program support. The estimated cost is $87 million.
The missile launchers will be installed on new construction
frigates and are intended for use with STANDARD and SEA SPARROW
missiles as the principal air defense armament of these vessels.
The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing these missile
launching systems into its inventory. The sale of these systems
will not affect the basic military balance in the region and
there will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a
result of this sale.
The sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national
security objectives of the United States by helping to improve
the military capabilities of the Netherlands, furthering
standardization and interoperability of naval shipboard systems
and enhancing the defense of Western Europe.
The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aero and Naval
Systems, Baltimore, Md. Implementation will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. government personnel in-
country. However, during delivery, installation and system
checkout, several man years of contractor engineering and
logistics personnel services will be required in-country.
The Department of the Navy will be responsible for all
transactions relating to this proposed sale.
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