Australia Requests Sale of 200 MK-54 Lightweight Torpedoes

06 Oktober 2010

Mk-54 lightweight torpedoes (photo : Defense Industry Daily)

WASHINGTON, – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of up to 200 MK 54 All-Up-Round Torpedoes, 179 MK 54 Flight in Air Material Kits, 10 MK 54 Exercise Sections, 10 MK 54 Exercise Fuel Tanks, 10 MK 54 Dummy Torpedoes and 6 MK 54 Ground Handling Torpedoes. The estimated cost is $169 million.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of up to 200 MK 54 All-Up-Round Torpedoes, 179 MK 54 Flight in Air Material Kits, 10 MK 54 Exercise Sections, 10 MK 54 Exercise Fuel Tanks, 10 MK 54 Dummy Torpedoes, 6 MK 54 Ground Handling Torpedoes, support and test equipment to upgrade Intermediate Maintenance Activity to MK 54 capability, spare and repair parts, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

Australia, one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific, contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia’s efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan have served U.S. national security interests.

Australia intends to use the MK 54 torpedo on the Lockheed/Sikorsky MH-60R helicopter. Australia has significant experience with modern weapons systems, particularly the MK 46 Mod 5 (SW) torpedo. The MK 54 torpedo is an upgrade of the MK 46 torpedo.

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

The prime contractor will be Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

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

There will be no adverse impact on 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.

(DSCA)