The United States has officially refuted media reports claiming that it had approved the sale of advanced AIM-120 air-to-air missiles to Pakistan. In a statement issued by the US Embassy, officials described such reports as “false” and clarified that “no part of this referenced contract modification is for deliveries of new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan.”
The embassy noted that the contract cited in these reports pertains to “sustainment and spares for several countries, including Pakistan,” indicating that it covers maintenance and replenishment of existing missile stocks rather than the provision of new weaponry. This clarification comes in the context of heightened regional tensions following Operation Sindoor, during which Indian and Pakistani forces engaged in air combat.
Recent media coverage had suggested that Pakistan might receive new AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles from the US, potentially enhancing its F-16 fleet and altering the regional aerial balance. The embassy’s statement directly counters these narratives, emphasizing that the contract is aimed at sustaining current systems and not enhancing Pakistan’s military capabilities.
The contract modification, valued at USD 41.7 million and awarded to Raytheon Missiles & Defense, covers the continued production of AMRAAM C-8 and D-3 variants and is part of a broader Foreign Military Sales program involving over 30 allied nations. The total contract value now stands at approximately USD 2.5 billion, with work scheduled for completion by May 30, 2030.
The embassy stressed that such contract announcements are routine in US defense procurement, covering spares, maintenance, and sustainment across multiple countries, and cautioned against interpreting the modification as a capability upgrade for Pakistan. This clarification reflects Washington’s sensitivity to perceptions that it might be tilting regional military balances.
