Boeing arm McDonnell Douglas Corp to make missiles for Pakistan
By Our Corporate Bureau | 14 Feb 2007
Mumbai: McDonnell Douglas Corp, a subsidiary of Boeing, has received a $15.79 million contract to make 10 Harpoon anti-ship missiles for Pakistan, the Pentagon said.
The contract is for 10 Harpoon Block II, grade B all-up-round missiles and an equal number of MK631 containers. The bulk of the work will be carried out in Missouri.
The missiles are to be supplied as part of a contract with the Naval Air Systems Command under the foreign military sales programme. Pakistan will use these missiles with its P-3C maritime surveillance aircraft that are being refurbished to improve their attack capabilities and with its surface ships and submarines.
The Pentagon also announced the contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal. It has placed the value of the deal at $370 million.
The Harpoon Block II is an upgrade programme designed to improve the missile's ability to attack targets in congested littoral areas, where nearby land masses and other ships can provide cover for targets.
Harpoon Block II missiles can be deployed from all platforms that have the Harpoon missile system by using existing command and launch equipment.
Last June, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency had informed US Congress about Pakistan's request for an assortment of missiles, including the Harpoon Block II missiles, containers and missile modifications.
