The State Department has cleared a potential sale to Italy of $129.6 million in weapon systems for integration onto the country’s fleet of General Atomics-built MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles.
Italy has requested 164 Hellfire II air-to-surface and captive air training missiles, 30 laser-guided bombs and 142 non-major defense equipment through a foreign military sales agreement with the U.S. government, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Wednesday.
DSCAÂ notified Congress of the proposed FMS deal Wednesday.
The agency noted Italy wants to acquire the drone weapons in an effort to protect deployed troops during missions as well as support operations of NATO and coalition forces.
General Atomics’ aeronautical systems business will be the primary contractor for the sale that also includes spare parts, support equipment, publications, technical assistance, logistics and training support services.
