Raytheon suggests US BVRAAM export approval

June 14th, 1999

Raytheon Systems Limited has said that the Advisory Opinion it has received from the US Department of State regarding the potential export of Raytheon's BVRAAM (Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile) for the UK MoD's SR(A) 1239 programme is proof that the US Government will not put re-export deals at risk.

An Advisory Opinion is submitted exactly like an Export License and is used to "test the water" for future license applications and give the submitter an indication that the license would be approved or disapproved. While an Advisory Opinion is not binding, it is a reliable method of judging US Government willingness to support an Export.

Andy Head, Director of Marketing and Defence Systems for Raytheon Systems Limited said, "This is an unprecedented move, which shows that the US is determined, once and for all, to remove any obstacles and remaining doubt that it will NOT withhold AMRAAM-based technology in US/European fighter competitions. Furthermore, the US WILL co-operate with the UK's MoD in the development and export of AMRAAM-based BVRAAMs from the UK. This has to be good news for future sales of Eurofighter and will safeguard and create thousands of European jobs.

In May 1998 the US Secretary of Defence, William Cohen gave assurances to British Defence Secretary, George Robertson that the US would ensure a fair international competitive environment for future fighter competitions and that the US would allow the marketing of AMRAAM-based BVRAAMs on Eurofighter to any nation approved for AMRAAM. As part of these assurances it was also proposed that a joint US/UK Export Working Group be formed to review all other AMRAAM-based BVRAAM sales.

The BVRAAM Advisory Opinion supported Secretary Cohen's position and made the following points: the Department of State, as the executive agency for all licensing of military use equipment, has no objections in principle to the proposed export of AMRAAM-based BVRAAMs. and supports the transfer of AMRAAM-based BVRAAMs to all Eurofighter partners and Sweden; The US Government will consider transfer of AMRAAM-based BVRAAMs to all other countries cleared for AMRAAM; and requests for exports to non-AMRAAM cleared countries would be on a case by case basis.

Andy Head went on to say, "Given that AMRAAM is already in service with 16 nations and approved for 22, including the Associate Nations, Saudi Arabia and most of NATO, it is inconceivable that there would be a country where the Eurofighter nations could not export an AMRAAM-equipped Eurofighter."

Raytheon is offering a Smart Procurement approach to the UK MoD's BVRAAM competition, Raytheon has offered FMRAAM (Future Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile) for the full BVRAAM requirement. Moreover. at the MoD's request for a lower cost and lower risk staged-approach to BVRAAM Raytheon have offered ERAAM (Extended Range Air-to-Air Missile) which provides 80% of the performance of BVRAAM at 50% of the price. Raytheon has also offered an upgrade path for the AMRAAMs that the MoD will purchase to initially arm Eurofighter, called AMRAAM B+.

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