Pakistan to Receive Advanced Air-to-Air Missiles from US Amid Warming Ties

Pakistan is set to receive AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) from the United States, signaling a significant thaw in military relations between Islamabad and Washington, following recent high-profile meetings involving President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Army Chief Asim Munir.

The US Department of War (DoW) confirmed Pakistan’s inclusion in a modified missile contract, which also covers allied countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. The latest amendment added USD 41.6 million to an existing contract with Raytheon, raising the total program value to over USD 2.51 billion, with work expected to complete by May 2030.

While the exact number of missiles destined for Pakistan has not been disclosed, the AMRAAM system is compatible with Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fleet. Defence experts note that the AIM-120C8 variant, part of the new order, is the export version of the AIM-120D, the most advanced AMRAAM currently in US service. Pakistan previously acquired around 500 older C5 variants with its Block 52 F-16s in 2010.

The AIM-120 AMRAAM has seen operational use in past Indo-Pak skirmishes. In 2019, Pakistan reportedly used it to down an Indian Air Force MiG-21 flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, highlighting its strategic relevance. Analysts speculate that this acquisition may also lead to upgrades in the PAF’s F-16 capabilities.

The missile deal follows a noticeable improvement in US-Pakistan relations. In September, President Trump met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir at the Oval Office. Earlier in June, Asim Munir held a rare one-on-one meeting with the US President, and PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar visited the US State Department in July.

Relations have warmed after the brief India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, during which Pakistan credited Trump for facilitating a ceasefire, even proposing his name for the Nobel Peace Prize. India, however, stated that the truce resulted from direct military-level talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both nations.

The AMRAAM deal is seen as part of a broader strategic recalibration in South Asia, reinforcing Pakistan’s air combat capabilities while reflecting closer US-Pakistan defence cooperation.