Jordan is strengthening its air defense with APKWS II guided missiles.
The US State Department has approved the possible sale of up to 1,500 APKWS II guidance kits to Jordan at a total cost of $100 million. At the customer's request, these can be separate WGU-59A/B or WGU-59B/B guidance modules, or completely finished missiles with a warhead, engine and fuse.
Of particular interest is the WGU-59B/B, an air-to-air version of the APKWS II. Initially, the system was created as a laser guidance system for unguided conventional 70 mm anti-aircraft missiles, but now it is increasingly used to combat air targets, including as UAVs.
Washington said the delivery was intended to strengthen Jordan's air defenses. According to the United States, the new missiles will increase the country's ability to repel current and future threats, will strengthen the regional air defense system in the Middle East and will make it possible to reduce the scope of American military support over time.
Jordan became the first foreign buyer of APKWS back in 2015, when it received 110 kits to arm two AC-235 aircraft. However, already in 2018, these planes were put up for sale, and their further fate is still unknown. Now APKWS II returns to the Jordanian Armed Forces in a new role - as an air defense weapon.