WASHINGTON, April 5, 2010 The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on April 2 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to France of 260 JAVELIN Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, 76 Command Launch Units with Integrated Day/Thermal Sights, and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support for an estimated cost of $69 million.

The Government of France has requested a possible sale of 260 JAVELIN Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, 76 Command Launch Units with Integrated Day/Thermal Sight, containers, missile simulation rounds, Enhanced Basic Skills Trainer, JAVELIN Weapon Effects Simulator Trainers, two-level maintenance, batteries, battery dischargers and chargers, battery coolant units, spare and repair parts, test and tool sets, personnel training and equipment, publications, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $69 million.

France is one of the major political and economic powers in Europe and NATO and an ally of the United States in ensuring peace and stability. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist France to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale will improve France’s capability to meet current and future threats of enemy tanks and ground forces. France will use the enhanced capability to deter regional threats, to strengthen its homeland defense, and to contribute to overseas contingencies and NATO operations. France will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Javelin Joint Venture of Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to France.

There will be no adverse impact on the U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Source: DSCA