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http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070912/3/37sl8.html
Thursday September 13, 6:32 AM
U.S. eyes $330 million artillery sale to Singapore
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department said on
Wednesday it was tentatively planning to sell Singapore advanced
Lockheed Martin Corp artillery rocket systems that could cost as
much as $330 million.
Singapore has asked to buy 18 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket
System launchers complete with nine medium tactical vehicle 5-ton
trucks, communications sets and 32 XM31 Unitary High Explosive
GMLRS rockets, the Pentagon told Congress.
The system, known as HIMARS, is designed to defeat artillery, air
defenses, trucks, light armour and personnel carriers.
It would give Singapore a highly effective military capability
critical to deterrence and national defense, the Pentagon's Defense
Security and Cooperation Agency said. It said the total value could
be $330 million if all options were exercised.
HIMARS supplements traditional canon artillery by delivering
high-volume firepower in a short time against time-sensitive
targets, the notice to Congress said.
"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve the
security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be,
an important force for economic progress in Southeast Asia," the
notice said.
On Aug. 24, the agency told Congress that Singapore was also
seeking up to 84 precision-guided bombs for its F-15 fighter jet
fleet as part of a military package valued at up to $200
million.
The notice of a potential sale is required by U.S. law. It does not
mean a sale has been concluded. Congress retains the power to block
a sale but rarely does so
