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
-
![GA-ASI makes strides with further MQ-20 intercept test success]()
GA-ASI makes strides with further MQ-20 intercept test success
The latest test of advanced autonomy development focused on human-machine teaming, loading a mission profile onto the platform.
-
![Edge and Indra to form manufacturing entity to meet European loitering munition demand]()
Edge and Indra to form manufacturing entity to meet European loitering munition demand
Once approved by shareholders, the newly established manufacturing company will be developed in Spain and will look to address the burgeoning demand for loitering munitions from Spain and the rest of Europe.
-
![US pledges to become “AI-first warfighting force” as navy hits new autonomy milestone]()
US pledges to become “AI-first warfighting force” as navy hits new autonomy milestone
A memo released on Monday outlines three key areas where the Pentagon can accelerate its adoption of artificial intelligence, including paths to finding new ways to integrate AI in combat, while the US Navy continues to push ahead with AI-enabled autonomy.
-
![US Pentagon pursues industry input to address drones’ payload and navigation limitations]()
US Pentagon pursues industry input to address drones’ payload and navigation limitations
The US Department of Defence along with its services and agencies have been increasing efforts to enhance the uncrewed aerial vehicle capabilities to succeed in future warfare.
-
![Project Nightfall to test fire deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine by 2027]()
Project Nightfall to test fire deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine by 2027
The UK competition for industry to develop deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine in its war effort against Russia will also provide benefits for the country’s own long-range strike efforts.
-
![US Marines seek suppliers for 10,000 low-cost sUAS with first delivery targeted for April]()
US Marines seek suppliers for 10,000 low-cost sUAS with first delivery targeted for April
The US Marine Corps is looking for vendors capable of quickly delivering off-the-shelf drones. The small uncrewed aerial systems are expected to carry diverse types of payloads.
