Pakistan will get AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) from the United States under a newly updated contract announced by the US Department of War (DoW), formerly known as the Department of Defence.
The pact marks a significant shift in US-Pakistan defense relations, especially since Washington has reinstated Islamabad as a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) recipient after years of limited involvement.
Raytheon, a defense contractor, has received a USD 41.6 million modification to an existing firm-fixed-price contract (FA8675-23-C-0037, modification P00026), according to a September 30 press release from the US Department of the Navy. The revision increases the total value of the broader AMRAAM production contract to more than USD 2.51 billion. The program, which includes the development of the latest AIM-120C8 and D3 variants, is expected to be completed by May 2030.
The deal names a diverse group of FMS recipients in addition to Pakistan, including the United Kingdom, Poland, Japan, Israel, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. However, Pakistan’s involvement is notable considering strained security relations since 2018, when US funding to Islamabad was suspended.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles are compatible with the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcons, which make up the majority of the country’s air combat fleet. PAF previously used older AIM-120C5 models, which were acquired along with Block 52 F-16s delivered in 2010 as part of a contract for around 500 missiles.
The newer C8 export variant has significant characteristics with the AIM-120D models used by the United States Air Force, such as improved datalink guidance, longer effective range, and improved resilience to electronic countermeasures. Defence analysts take this as a likely initiative by the PAF to upgrade its interception capabilities and strengthen its deterrence postureThe AMRAAM rose to notoriety during the 2019 post-Balakot aerial battles, when Pakistani F-16s purportedly fired AIM-120C5 missiles against Indian Air Force MiG-21s above the Line of Control. The new acquisition plan raises security worries in New Delhi, as the new variation significantly expands beyond the C5’s engagement envelope.
In February 2019, the Balakot operation targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed training sites in Pakistan’s Balakot region in response to the Pulwama terror strikes. The Indian Air Force successfully neutralised various militant structures, resulting in increased battles between the two air forces.
This strike and following aerial war sparked years of hostility between New Delhi and Islamabad, but recent developments show Islamabad’s progressive reintegration into selective US defense frameworks. The shift is consistent with broader geopolitical realignments under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Notably, relations improved during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when India carried out retaliatory attacks against terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror incident.
The four-day escalation concluded on May 10 with a truce monitored by DGMO-level discussions between the two countries. Islamabad lauded Trump’s involvement with brokering the peace, even proposing his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Pakistan’s possible procurement of AIM-120C8 missiles could mark the beginning of an F-16 mid-life upgrade program that includes avionics, radar modernization (perhaps AN/APG-83 SABR), and electronic warfare improvements. Such an approach will significantly improve the PAF’s combat endurance in beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements and operational interoperability with US-aligned systems.
Although the specific amount of missiles heading for Pakistan is unknown, the contract fuels speculation about a strategic thaw between Washington and Islamabad. It could also reflect America’s balancing approach in South Asia, with minimal military cooperation with Pakistan while retaining a strong defense engagement with India.
The return of sophisticated AMRAAM variants into South Asia may alter the regional air-power balance, especially as India continues to build its indigenous air-to-air armament with Astra MK-2 and MK-3 missiles, as well as modifications to Rafale and TEJAS MK-1A fighters. Defence analysts warn that expanded US-Pakistan defense ties could jeopardize India’s strategic planning, despite its growing indigenous defense sector and partnerships with France and Israel.
Overall, the US move highlights evolving diplomatic dynamics while reinforcing Washington’s position as a vital arms supplier impacting South Asia’s complicated security arithmetic.
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