Washington: The U.S. Division of Protection has up to date its official record of nations eligible to acquire the Superior Medium Vary Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Pakistan is listed amongst potential consumers of the AIM-120C8/D3 missile, produced by American protection agency Raytheon. The Division of Protection web site highlights that the replace comes underneath an current contract (FA8675-23-C-0037), overlaying greater than a dozen nations.
In easy phrases, the USA has up to date an current missile provide contract with a $41.68 million adjustment (P00026), including Islamabad to the provider record. This doesn’t but represent a signed deal for quick supply however paves the way in which for potential future navy gross sales.
The bigger Raytheon contract is value about $2.51 billion, and Pakistan has now been formally added. The USA already exports these missiles to its allies like the UK, Germany, Australia and Japan. What number of missiles Pakistan will get is unclear as of now, however this exhibits Washington is as soon as once more prepared to produce trendy weapons to the nation.
A Fighter Jet Killer For Pakistan?
Integrating the AIM-120C8/D3 with Pakistan’s F-16 jets may remodel them into extremely deadly platforms. The missile’s superior steering programs and beyond-visual-range capabilities enable it to focus on enemy fighters, surveillance plane and AWACS with outstanding precision.
Pakistan presently operates 18 F-16C/D Block-52 jets. Throughout previous conflicts, India had downed a few of these plane, together with one through the 2019 engagement. The brand new U.S. missile variants may restore and even improve Pakistan’s aerial strike potential.
This isn’t the primary time Pakistan has secured superior missiles from the USA. Between 2006 and 2007, underneath the ‘Peace Drive II’ programme, Islamabad bought 18 F-16C/D Block-52 fighters for $650 million. The deal included 500 AIM-120C5 missiles. Stories point out that Pakistan had used these missiles towards Indian MiG-21 jets in 2019.
Nevertheless, the AIM-120C5 is now thought of outdated. The C8 and D3 variants supply improved vary (over 160 kilometres), up to date steering programs and resistance to digital jamming, making them considerably more practical.
How Deadly Is The AIM-120C8/D3?
The AIM-120D missile serves within the U.S. Air Pressure, whereas the AIM-120C8 is its export variant. Though barely much less superior than the unique, it stays extremely dependable and technologically potent.
The USA can be offering this missile to Saudi Arabia. Based on the Division of Protection, Pakistan’s inclusion within the AIM-120C8 export record comes with strict end-use monitoring and non-proliferation agreements to handle regional tensions diplomatically.
After Operation Sindoor in Could, Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar visited Washington in July 2025. Since then, studies recommend that the U.S. might cautiously restart restricted gross sales of superior weapons to Pakistan. Particulars on supply timelines and the precise variety of missiles stay unsure, however the transfer indicators a possible recalibration of air energy dynamics in South Asia.