Japan approved for $3.6 billion AMRAAM purchase
Japan has requested the purchased of more AMRAAM which are carried on the country’s fighter aircraft including F-15J/DJ jets. (Photo: Japanese Air Self-Defense Force)
The request is for up to 1,200 Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120 (D-3/C-8) Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), along with ancillary equipment and services.
Japan’s request for 1,200 AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM has been approved as a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) by the US State Department. Notification of the approval has been forward to the US Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The deal, if fully realised, will be worth up to US$3.6 billion and along with the actual missiles will include up to 20 AIM-120D-3 guidance sections and up to four AIM-120C-8 guidance sections.
The deal also includes AMRAAM propulsion sections, warheads, AIM-120 captive air training missiles, missile containers and control section spares.
Related Articles
Raytheon strikes deal with new rocket motor maker to secure supply chain
Why is there an “insatiable demand” worldwide for AMRAAM?
More AMRAAMs approved for Denmark under $744 million deal
In addition, it includes common munitions built-in test reprogramming equipment and ADU-891 adaptor group test sets, munitions support and support equipment.
Similarly, approval was granted for the sale of up to 30 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM and one AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance section to Morrocco. The deal will be worth $88.4 million and the missiles will be used on the country’s newly acquired fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 72 fighter aircraft.
The deals, both signed within the past fortnight, follow the Pentagon placing the largest-ever contract for the supply of the missile in September last year.
The $1.2 billion agreement covered the production of Lot 38, which will supply AMRAAMs to Bahrain, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, the UK, the US Navy and the US Air Force.
In 2024, the DSCA approved the provision of AMRAAMs to Israel, Norway, Romania and Singapore under the FMS programme.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX]()
AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX
Two new uncrewed aircraft concepts target very different US military requirements, from massed long-range strike to autonomous logistics. Shephard spoke with executives from Swarm Aero, Textron Aviation and Merlin Labs at this year's AFA Air, Space and Cyber conference to learn more about their capabilities.
-
![Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?]()
Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?
While the headlines remain dominated by the use of drones for combat operations in Ukraine and other conflicts, there are emerging use cases where the technology could usefully feed back into areas and missions outside the war zone.
-
![USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC]()
USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC
The Grey Wolf has entered operational service nearly three years later than originally planned, while new sustainment contracts indicate that some UH-1Ns could remain supported until 2031.
-
![Singapore’s interest in GCAP reflects its long-term approach to air power]()
Singapore’s interest in GCAP reflects its long-term approach to air power
A potential interest in joining GCAP is indicative of Singapore’s long-term and methodical approach to defence procurement and could benefit its local defence industry.
