In a significant defense development, the United States has approved the sale of advanced AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to Pakistan under a modified contract with American defense giant Raytheon, signaling a strengthening of bilateral military cooperation.
According to a statement by the US Department of War, Raytheon was awarded a $41.6 million contract modification, expanding the total deal value to $2.5 billion. The agreement includes Pakistan among several foreign buyers, with work to be completed by May 2030 at the company’s Tucson, Arizona facility.
These advanced C8 and D3 variants of AMRAAM missiles will be used with Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fighter jets, enhancing the country’s air defense and interception capabilities. The same missile type was previously deployed during Operation Swift Retort in 2019, when the PAF downed two Indian jets intruding into Pakistani airspace.
Pakistan last purchased 700 AMRAAM missiles in 2007, marking one of the largest international orders for the system. The new deal reflects improving ties between Islamabad and Washington, which have recently shown renewed cooperation in counterterrorism, trade, and technology.
“This sale marks another milestone in the evolving defense relationship between Pakistan and the United States,” said a defense analyst familiar with the development.