There were some reports ALARM was more effective in some circumstances than HARM as its loitering capability allowed it time to engage targets when they were 'shooting and scooting' whereas HARM was a direct attack weapon and if the radar shut down, they were no longer capable of targetting it.For christs sake, Australia has purchaced exactly how many harpoons since the 1st buy? Its all in the public domain apparently, so someone google it for me please, because I cant find an answer.
AIM 9 X intial purchace was around 21 missiles, and assosiated gear, followed up by about 350 block 2 AIM 9 X. A lot of WVR missiles for 24 aircraft. (Although they will be used on the F35)
As for the 2 versions of HARM, I can only speculate that the E version would be more expensive than the B, and the B would be perfectly suitable for a lot of targets, making it the most cost effective weapon to use in some circumstances, where as more modern or important targets would have a better kill probability with the E.
I believe that The ALARM missile is superior to both versions, and has a "loiter" ability, where after launch, it will continue to look for targets if its initial target "disapears".
Which is why AARGM was developed with MMW and GPS/INS guidance to continue targeting even if the targetted radar / system was switched off. ALARM is now an obsolete system in RAF service that is being retired without replacement.
Personally I suspect HARM is the cheaper weapon and is being obtained for training purposes, including the occasional live fire event and the operational capability resides with AARGM.
Not to mention AARGM has yet to pass all its qualifying Operational Test and Development milestones, so HARM B might also be a safeguard until AARGM is completely operational.
As for Harpoon, I've seen an order for 64x Harpoon II which was the warstock for the ANZAC Class surface warfighting upgrade project and a $30m contract for upgrade kits to bring older 'nn' amount of Block IC weapons to Harpoon II standard.
But as other posters have opined, there isn't anything that isn't approved by Congress and Opsec has no place here...