ISLAMABAD: The United States Department of War has included both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia among several allied nations in a major global defense contract for the supply of American-made Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). This move signals a significant renewal of strategic defense cooperation between Washington and its regional partners. The overall contract also features a separate deal to upgrade Saudi Arabia’s fighter jet communication systems.
According to an official bulletin released by the Department of War on September 30, the US awarded defense contractor Raytheon Missiles & Defense a $41.6 million modification. This firm-fixed-price amendment is for the continued production of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) in its upgraded C8 and D3 variants. The AMRAAM is an advanced system specifically designed for the long-range, beyond-visual-range interception of enemy aircraft.
The modification, which incorporates Pakistan among its Foreign Military Sales recipients, increases the total cumulative face value of the AMRAAM production contract to over $2.51 billion, up from $2.47 billion. This large-scale contract includes multiple US allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Australia, alongside Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Details regarding the exact number of missiles destined for each country or definitive delivery timelines were not immediately disclosed, as this information is typically revealed later through bilateral defense filings. The work on this entire order is expected to be completed by the end of May 2030.
The AMRAAM is a widely used and proven system deployed by more than 40 nations globally. Pakistan equips the missile on its F-16 Falcon fighter jets, while Saudi Arabia operates it on its F-15 fleet. This weapon has served as a critical component of Western and allied air defense for over three decades, notably capable of engaging airborne targets at ranges exceeding 30 kilometers, depending on the missile variant.
In a separate development highlighting ongoing Washington-Riyadh defense collaboration, the US approved a dedicated $24.17 million contract. This deal is for providing technical support to upgrade the communication systems on Saudi F-15s under the secure Link-16 data-sharing network. This project will continue through March 2031, reflecting Washington’s sustained commitment to regional security partnerships.
