WASHINGTON: US defence manufacturer Raytheon has decided to sell advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) to Pakistan following an amendment to its existing contract.
The amendment adds Pakistan to the list of countries authorised to purchase the missiles.
According to a press release issued by the US Department of Defense on September 30, a $41.6 million firm-fixed-price modification was approved to a previously awarded contract to produce the C-8 and D-3 models of the AMRAAM missiles.
The statement added that, following the modification, the total value of the contract has increased from $2.47 billion to $2.5 billion.
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It further stated: “The work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by May 30, 2030. This contract involves sales to the United Kingdom, Poland, Pakistan, Germany, Finland, Australia, Romania, Qatar, Oman, South Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal, Singapore, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Japan, Slovakia, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Norway, Spain, Kuwait, Sweden, Taiwan, Lithuania, Israel, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey.”
Pakistan had not been included in the list of purchasing countries in the earlier version of the contract signed on May 7.
These US-made missiles are mounted on Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 fighter jets. The same AMRAAM missiles were used during Operation Swift Retort in February 2019, when the PAF shot down two Indian aircraft that had violated Pakistan’s airspace over Kashmir.
In January 2007, Pakistan purchased 700 AMRAAM missiles, which at the time was the world’s largest international procurement of the weapon.
The decision to resume missile sales marks a significant development amid improving relations between Pakistan and the United States.
In recent months, ties between Islamabad and Washington have notably warmed. These positive signs—visible since former President Donald Trump’s tenure—have now evolved into what appears to be a growing economic and strategic partnership.
From the US acknowledging Pakistan’s cooperation in the arrest of a key Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) operative, to citing its role in helping avert a potential nuclear conflict in South Asia, Pakistan has been mentioned more frequently in presidential briefings than under any previous administration. With progress in tariff negotiations, increasing US interest in Pakistan’s oil and mineral sectors, and indications of an open approach to digital assets and cryptocurrencies, Pakistan appears to be emerging as a more active and influential player in South Asia