The State Department approved two possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Finland for Harpoon Block II and Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) naval missiles worth $735 million total.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of both approvals on Monday.

A Harpoon Block II + missile on the wing on an F/A-18 aircraft before a test launch in 2016. (Photo: Boeing)
A Harpoon Block II + missile on the wing on an F/A-18 aircraft before a test launch in 2016. (Photo: Boeing)

The first and larger sale covers $622 million for 100 RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II Plus (+) Extended Range (ER) Grade B Surface-Launched Missiles, 12 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Grade B Surface-Launched Missiles, 12 RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B Surface-Launched Upgrade Kits, four RTM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Grade B Exercise Surface-Launched Missiles, and four RTM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B Exercise Surface-Launched Missiles.

This also includes containers, spare and repair parts, training equipment, and engineering and logistics support services.

Finland aims to use the missiles on its Hamina-class ships, Multirole Corvette ships, and coastal batteries. DSCA said the Harpoons will increase the Finnish Navy’s maritime partnerships potential and bolster regional security capability.

The agency noted Finland had not previously purchased Harpoon Block II+ ER missiles before, “but will have no difficulty incorporating this capability into its armed forces.”

The prime contractor is missile maker Boeing [BA].

Implementation of this sale will require the travel of 21 U.S. government personal to Finland for support over a 10-year period.

The second FMS includes $113 million for 68 Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM) and one ESSM inert operational missile along with 17 MK25 quad pack canisters, eight MK783 shipping containers, spare and repair parts, supporting equipment and logistical and training services.

DSCA said Finland intends to use the ESSMs in its new Squadron 2020-class Corvette ships to provide improved capabilities in defense of critical sea lanes and improve the country’s ability to meet match current and future anti-ship weapons.

An Evolved Seasparrow Missile is launched from the  USS Carl Vinson.  Photo: U.S. Navy.
An Evolved Seasparrow Missile is launched from the USS Carl Vinson. Photo: U.S. Navy.

The agency said Finland has not previously purchased ESSMs either, but it will have no difficult incorporating the capability.

Primary contractors will be producer Raytheon [RTN] for the missiles and Britain’s BAE Systems for the cannisters.

Implementation of the ESSM sale will require up to 12 U.S. government personnel to provide support in Finland for five years.

The agency noted Finland typically requests offsets, but any agreement to that end under these FMS will be defined in negotiations between Finland and the contractors.