An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 85th Test Evaluation Squadron shoots an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM over ranges near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 19, 2019. (Joshua Hoskins/U.S. Air Force)
The United States has tentatively approved a $1.04 billion sale of air-to-air missiles to Australia, a key Indo-Pacific ally preparing to test its first domestically built guided weapons.
The State Department notified Congress of the proposed sale of up to 200 AIM-120C and 200 AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs, along with associated equipment, according to an April 9 notice posted on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s website.
The deal comes as the U.S. and its allies respond to China’s expanding military capabilities, including the world’s largest missile arsenal and Beijing’s repeated pledges to reunify Taiwan, by force if necessary.
The sale “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States,” the notice stated, adding that the weapons would “protect and increase the survivability of Australian aircraft.”
The AIM-120C and AIM-120D missiles are produced by aerospace contractor RTX, formerly Raytheon, based in Arlington, Va.
“The AMRAAM missile is the air-to-air weapon of choice for U.S. and allied militaries,” the company says on its website. “The AMRAAM missile has been test fired more than 5,000 times and used in combat all over the world.”
The missiles are compatible with multiple aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, and F-22 Raptor. The Royal Australian Air Force operates both Super Hornets and F-35As.
While the range of the AIM-120D remains classified, it is believed to reach approximately 100 miles, according to FlightGlobal, an aviation news site.
The proposed package includes containers, support equipment, spare parts, accessories, software, technical documents and support services.
“Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific,” the notice states.
Australia has deepened its military partnerships in recent years, hosting U.S. Marines and conducting regular joint training with Japan and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, China has increased its presence in the region, conducting live-fire naval drills earlier this year in southern Australian waters that disrupted commercial flights.
The missile sale coincides with Australia’s efforts to establish a domestic missile production capability through its partnership with Lockheed Martin under the AUKUS defense pact with the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
Australia is expected to test its first locally assembled Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System missiles this year, according to The Australian newspaper.
