US Sells IDR 45 Trillion Weapons: HIMARS Rocket Launcher, Chinook Helicopter And Tactical Missile, Who's Buying It?

HIMARS United States of America. (Wikimedia Commons/US Marine Corps/Cpl. Ismael E. Ortega)

JAKARTA - The United States has approved the sale of a number of main weapons system equipment (Alutsista) to Allied countries with a value of 3.1 billion dollars or around Rp. 45 trillion.

According to the US Department of Defense, the sale includes self-propelled rocket launchers, Chinook helicopters and two types of cruise missiles.

The US has approved the self-propelled rocket launcher for sale to Australia as the country seeks to increase its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Australia has increased its defense spending over the past few years, as China seeks to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. It is known, last year the Kangaroo Country signed a deal to buy nuclear submarines from the United States and Britain.

The sale to Australia of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher and related equipment will cost around $385 million.

According to the Pentagon, Australia asked to buy 20 HIMARS and other equipment. The main contractors are Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Corp., and Chelton Inc. Approval by the State Department at this point virtually ensures the sale will be successful.

Illustration of a US CH-47F Chinook helicopter. (Wikimedia Commons/US Army/Staff Sgt. Kyle Davis)

Next, the US also approved the sale of the CH-47F Chinook helicopter and related equipment to Egypt at an estimated cost of US$2.6 billion or around Rp. 37,903,840,000,000.

Egypt asked to buy 23 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, the Pentagon said, adding that the prime contractor was Boeing Helicopter Co.

The US government says sales to key partners in the Middle East are in America's security interests.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to enhance the security of a major non-Nato ally who continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East," the State Department said, citing The National News.

Washington said the weapons would increase Egypt's heavy lifting capabilities "to strengthen the defenses of its homeland and deter regional threats."

In addition, it said the sale would not change the basic military balance in the region, referring to Israel's military advantage.

The Dutch ordered tactical missiles. The Windmill Country increased its previous orders for AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missiles and AIM-9X Block II+ Tactical Missiles. The missiles will be built by Raytheon and have an estimated total value of $117 million, the Pentagon said.

To note, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Thursday.