U.S. orders AIM-120 missiles for Ukraine

1 September, 2023 Launching an AIM-120 missile from a fighter jet. Photo from open sources The United States Department of Defense has ordered AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.

The corresponding statement was published on the Pentagon's website. Ukraine, in particular, will receive these medium-range missiles as part of military aid from the United States. The contract with Raytheon defense company is worth £192 million.

It is expected to be completed by Nov.

29, 2024. Fiscal 2023 Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds in the amount of £7,688,220 are being obligated at the time of award.

AIM-120 medium-range missile under the wing of an F-15C fighter. Photo from the network

It is not disclosed how many missiles are planned to be transferred to Ukraine.

The AIM-120 missile is the primary air-to-air weapon of all types of modern fighter jets of the American armed forces. The AIM-120 is also used as an anti-aircraft missile for the Norwegian-American NASAMS air defense system. In June, Raytheon Missiles and Defense was awarded a contract worth more than a billion dollars to produce Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).

According to the contract, the production of missile weapons is expected to be completed by Jan 31, 2027.

Equipping NASAMS SAM with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles

This contract involves unclassified Foreign Military Sales to Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, which accounts for approximately 39% of the contract value.

AIM-120 AMRAAM

AIM-120 AMRAAM is an American all-weather guided missile developed by the American defense company Raytheon Technologies. The missile was adopted into service with the U.S. Army in 1991.

An AIM-120 AMRAAM missile during transport at the air base.

Photo from open sources

The AIM-120 missile is the primary air-to-air weapon of all types of modern fighter jets of the United States Armed Forces.

The company is currently producing the latest serial version of the AIM-120D missile with a maximum range of about 180 km (under ideal conditions).