Malaysia seeks AIM missiles

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a possible sale of AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II All-Up-Round Missiles to Malaysia.

The package deal would be for 20 AIMs, eight CATM-9X-2 Captive Air Training Missiles, four CATM-9X-2 Block II Missile Guidance Units, two AIM-9X-2 Block II Tactical Guidance Units, 2 Dummy Air Training Missiles, containers, missile support and test equipment, provisioning and spare and repair parts.

Personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. government and contractor technical assistance and other related logistics support would be included.

The value of the Foreign Military Sale was given as $52 million.

"The Malaysian air force is modernizing its fighter aircraft to better support its own air defense needs," the agency said. "The proposed sale of AIM-9X-2 missiles will enhance Malaysia's interoperability with the U.S. and among other Southeast Asian nations, making it a more valuable partner in an increasingly important area of the world."

The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Co. in Tucson.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require travel of U.S. government or contractor representatives to Malaysia on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight.