The Netherlands has ordered AGM-158 JASSM-ER cruise missiles from the United States to arm its fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets.

The press service of Lockheed Martin Corporation, the manufacturer of these weapons, reported on this.

On Monday, July 29, US and Dutch officials signed the agreement.

The American company noted that thanks to this document, the Netherlands will become the fifth international operator of JASSM cruise missiles.

Lockheed Martin does not disclose details about the number of missiles ordered and the value of the contract.

This February, the US State Department approved the sale of 120 AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ER cruise missiles and related equipment and services to the Netherlands. The estimated cost is $908 million.

The cruise missiles will improve the Netherlands’ ability to counter current and future security threats in the region.

The Netherlands has opted for the US long-range subsonic air-to-surface cruise missile JASSM-ER to arm its fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft. This weapon will significantly expand their combat capabilities to engage ground targets at long range.

JASSM-ER

The range of the AGM-158 JASSM-ER missile is up to 1,000 kilometers. Its warhead’s weight is 450 kg.

The cruise missile is guided by a sophisticated flight control system based on an autonomous inertial system, GPS satellite network and TERCOM, a system that corrects the flight based on terrain. All of this provides significant protection against enemy electronic warfare systems.

On the final trajectory, the missile uses a self-learning infrared head that searches for the target and compares it with a standard stored in the onboard computer. As a result, the declared possible deviation does not exceed three meters.

The JASSM missiles are in service with the United States and several other NATO countries and America’s closest allies. A number of countries have also announced their intention to purchase these missiles.