The United States State Department has approved a foreign military sale of MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) to the Government of the Netherlands.
The proposed $110m deal will provide the Netherlands with eight MK 41 VLS Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules and spare parts, training, and other related logistics support.
The US and Netherlands have historically imported and exported military equipment between the two countries, benefiting from the exchange of military procurement. Only the UK held a more significant market share of defence imports into the US.
According to GlobalData’s “US Defence Market 2022-2027” report, only 15 countries imported goods into the US defence market for five years. The UK held the greatest market share, with $742m worth of imports, equating to 24.0% of the market, followed closely by the Netherlands’ $415m, resulting in 23.0%.
The Netherlands has expressed interest in acquiring eight eight-cell MK 41 VLS Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules, which can be used as a complete system or as standalone units.
The purchase request includes spare parts, handling equipment, transportation test and support equipment, software, engineering/technical assistance, personnel training and training equipment, documentation, publications, and technical data.
The Royal Netherlands Navy plans to utilize the MK 41 VLS Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules for their new ship class. These modules will be instrumental in supporting ongoing and emergent operational needs, particularly in ESSM BLK1 and SM-2 capabilities.
Lockheed Martin Corporation, based in Bethesda, MD, will be the prime contractor for this sale.
Finland also purchased the MK 41 Vertical Launching System in a foreign military sale from the US in 2018.
