WASHINGTON — In a significant development for defense cooperation, the United States Department of War has added Pakistan to a $2.5 billion contract with Raytheon for the production of AIM‑120 AMRAAM air‑to‑air missiles. The contract, recently reported by outlets including Dawn and The News, covers both the AIM‑120C‑8 variant with a range of 140 kilometers and the AIM‑120D‑3 variant capable of striking targets up to 180 kilometers away.
According to the Pentagon’s announcement, Raytheon received a $41.6 million modification to its existing deal, expanding the list of foreign buyers to include Pakistan alongside allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. Production will take place in Tucson, Arizona, with deliveries expected to be completed by May 2030.
For the Pakistan Air Force, the acquisition represents a major upgrade. The new missiles will be integrated with its F‑16 fleet, replacing older AIM‑120C‑5 versions acquired in 2010. Defense experts note that the AIM‑120D‑3 offers superior range, accuracy, and advanced electronic counter‑countermeasures, significantly enhancing Pakistan’s beyond‑visual‑range combat capabilities. Pakistan last purchased AMRAAMs in 2007, when it secured 700 units in one of the largest international orders at the time.
Analysts say the deal signals a thaw in US‑Pakistan defense ties after years of limited cooperation. By approving the sale of advanced missile systems, Washington appears to be re‑engaging with Islamabad on strategic defense, a move that could have far‑reaching implications for South Asia’s security landscape.