U.S. approves AMRAAM missile deal to boost Pakistan’s
F-16 upgrades
In a significant move that could reshape South Asian
airpower dynamics, the United States has approved an advanced missile contract
for Pakistan, enabling long-awaited upgrades to its fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
The $41.68 million contract modification, announced by the U.S. Department of
Defense on October 6, includes Pakistan as a recipient of Raytheon’s AIM-120C8/D3
Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
This is the first major U.S. defense transfer to Pakistan
since tensions spiked during the May 2025 Operation Sindoor skirmishes, and
signals a cautious but strategic reset in bilateral military cooperation.
What the deal includes
The modification expands an earlier $2.5 billion global
AMRAAM procurement deal and includes over 30 countries—among them, the UK,
Germany, Turkey, and now Pakistan. Though exact quantities remain classified,
defense analysts suggest an initial batch will be used for training and
integration, with potential for broader deployment.
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The AIM-120D-3 is the most advanced variant in the AMRAAM
family, offering:
- Beyond-visual-range (BVR) capabilities over 100 km
- Fire-and-forget precision targeting
- Two-way datalink for mid-course updates
- Enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures
For Pakistan, this represents a significant technological
leap for its 18 F-16 Block 52 aircraft, acquired under the 2006 Peace Drive II
initiative, which until now relied on the older AIM-120C-5 variant.
Background: From tensions to turnaround
The approval follows months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy,
including a key July 2025 visit by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Marshal
Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to Washington, where he held meetings with Pentagon
officials and members of Congress.
In addition to missiles, the U.S. has already approved a $397
million F-16 sustainment package, ensuring the fleet remains operational until
at least 2035. The upgrade includes avionics modernization through the Form,
Fit, Function Refresh (F3R) program.
Strict oversight and conditional use
Despite the approval, the deal comes with stringent U.S.
oversight:
- Technical Security Teams (TSTs) will monitor end-use compliance quarterly.
- F-16s must remain segregated from Chinese-origin JF-17s at bases like Mushaf.
- Aircraft may not be deployed outside counterterrorism operations without prior U.S. consent.
These measures reflect Washington’s attempt to balance
support for Pakistan against regional sensitivities, particularly with India,
and to ensure weapons do not end up in unintended hands.
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Regional impact and strategic implications
Pakistan’s AMRAAM integration could serve as a force
multiplier, especially amid growing airpower asymmetries with India, whose
Rafale fighters are equipped with Meteor BVR missiles. With over 14,000 AMRAAMs
produced globally, the missile’s inclusion in Pakistan’s arsenal also
strengthens interoperability with NATO-standard systems.
Looking ahead: Tactical gains or strategic gamble?
For Islamabad, the AMRAAM deal arrives at a crucial time, as
60% of national revenue is consumed by debt servicing, limiting defense
spending options. It provides an immediate upgrade path while allowing parallel
investments in JF-17 enhancements and indigenous missile development, such as the
Fatah-series cruise missiles tested earlier in 2025.
For Washington, it’s a strategic hedge—a low-cost bet on
stability, deterrence, and influence in a nuclear-armed region prone to
flashpoints. The true test, however, will be whether this move encourages de-escalation
or fuels a new aerial arms race.
Conclusion
The AMRAAM missile deal marks a turning point in
U.S.-Pakistan defense relations. While it delivers much-needed capability to
the Pakistan Air Force, it also serves as a geopolitical signal: the U.S. is
willing to re-engage—cautiously—with old allies to shape new regional balances.
The coming years will reveal whether this infusion of high-tech weaponry leads
to stability or further rivalry in South Asia’s crowded skies.
Source: Aero News Journal