The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has issued an export license for the sale of the M982A1 Excalibur high-precision projectiles to Spain. This license includes both the contract value and the quantity of ammunition, allowing for the update of the pricing for the projectile in case of export from the United States.
According to the provided information, Spain has the opportunity to procure 271 Excalibur projectiles at an approximate cost of $48.2 million. Additionally, the contract includes a portable fire control system necessary for programming target coordinates into the projectile’s memory, along with other accompanying equipment, explosive charges, training, spare parts, logistics and more.
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Thus, the cost of one M982A1 Excalibur projectile for export, as of June 2023, amounts to $177,860. It should be noted that the M982A1 designation represents the serial version of the ammunition, which features a robust anti-jamming satellite guidance system.
Interestingly, Spain intended to order only 118 of these high-precision projectiles, with an estimated price of $21.87 million, reads the report. Therefore, when procuring a smaller batch, the price of the Excalibur could be higher, amounting to $185,300 per unit.
Ultimately, considering the range of 36-48 km (up to 70 km for advanced howitzers) for a precision weapon to engage targets with a high probability of a successful first shot, the mentioned cost can be considered quite reasonable. Particularly in the context of counter-battery warfare, finding a better means to effectively engage important enemy targets, including their artillery, can be quite challenging.
The Excalibur projectile weighs 48 kg, with a warhead weighing 22 kg. It utilizes both inertial and satellite navigation systems to engage targets, ensuring a rated accuracy within a 4-meter radius from the point of aim.
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