The US Department of War has approved the sale of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Pakistan, raising concerns in India over regional air superiority.
US-Pakistan Arms Deal Overview
The United States has approved a modification to an existing arms contract, including Pakistan among its foreign military sales recipients. This modification increases the total value of the contract to over USD 2.51 billion, with delivery expected to be completed by the end of May 2030. The contract involves the production of the AIM-120C8 and D3 variants of the AMRAAM, manufactured by Raytheon. These missiles are compatible exclusively with the F-16 fighter jets operated by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The AIM-120 is renowned for its beyond-visual-range (BVR) capability and fire-and-forget technology, making it a significant enhancement to Pakistan’s aerial combat capabilities.
Implications for India
The approval of this arms sale has raised strategic concerns in India, particularly regarding the potential upgrade of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. The AIM-120C8 missiles could enhance the PAF’s air superiority, especially in BVR combat scenarios. This development may necessitate India to bolster its own air defense systems and consider acquiring advanced air-to-air missiles to maintain a strategic balance in the region.
