The US State Department has approved the potential $567.8-million sale of RTX’s AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to Belgium.

Brussels’ requested package includes 320 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical missiles; 258 AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder tactical missiles; 50 AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units; and 30 AIM-9X Block II+ tactical guidance units for its F-35 Lightning II fleet. 

Missile containers, weapon software, transportation, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services, as well as other related elements of logistics and program support, are also covered. 

These will improve Belgium’s capabilities in support of NATO’s defense mission, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 

Earlier this month, Washington also approved a possible foreign military sale of up to 96 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II/II+ missiles to three NATO allies, including Belgium.