Hughes Aircraft is seeking to get around the US Government's refusal to sell the shoulder-launched FIM-92 FMP surface-to-air missile to South-East Asian countries by instead offering a tripod-mounted version of the weapon
The US manufacturer is already in the process of seeking Government approval to sell its dual-mount Stinger to at least one country in the region, which has asked to purchase it. Hughes refuses to identify the prospective buyer, but it is thought to be Thailand.
In a bid to prevent portable shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles coming into the possession of terrorists, the US Government has so far refused to clear the Stinger for sale to Asia, apart from Japan and South Korea. Hughes argues that its fixed dual- mount system poses no such danger and that the Avenger vehicle-mounted version of Stinger has already been released for sale to Thailand.
The dual-mount system weighs some 95kg, including two missile rounds, the tripod and mast assembly, PAS-8 day-and- night sight, gunner's seat and terminal shelf. The system can be integrated with other ground radar and communications and control systems.
Critics of the US ban point out that other similar systems have already been sold to the region, including the Matra BAe Dynamics Mistral/Simbad/Sadral series to Indonesia, Singapore and the Thai navy, the Shorts Starburst to Malaysia and Bofors RBS70 to the Singapore and Thai air forces.
A dual-mount Stinger has been sold to the Danish army and is now being evaluated by the US Navy and Army, says Hughes.
Source: Flight International
