The United States has denied media reports that the country had approved the sale of the highly advanced AIM-120 air-to-air missiles to Pakistan. The US Embassy issued a clarification this morning, calling such media reports “false” and saying that “no part of this referenced contract modification is for deliveries of new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan”.

Interestingly, however, the embassy said the contract being referred to in the media reports was for “sustainment and spares for several countries, including Pakistan”. This could potentially mean that the contract might include replenishment of missile stocks that Pakistan may have used recently. The clarification gains significance in the wake of Operation Sindoor, where Indian and Pakistani forces were engaged in air combat.

Over the past few days, several media outlets and regional publications have reported that Pakistan was likely to receive AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles from the US, which would potentially bolster its F-16 fleet and alter the regional aerial balance. Such reports have fueled speculation that the US was offering Pakistan a capability upgrade amid warming ties.

The US Embassy’s statement appears to be a direct rebuttal to those narratives. It emphasises that the contract is “sustainment” in nature, meant for supporting existing systems rather than enhancing them, thus signalling Washington’s sensitivity to perceptions that it may be tilting regional military balances.

The US Department of War's contract modification, valued at USD 41.7 million, was awarded to Raytheon Missiles & Defense for continued production of AMRAAM C-8 and D-3 variants. This modification brings the total value of the contract to approximately USD 2.5 billion, with work scheduled for completion by May 30, 2030. The inclusion of Pakistan in this contract is part of a broader Foreign Military Sales program involving over 30 allied nations.

The embassy emphasised that the contract's purpose is to support the maintenance and sustainment of existing missile systems and does not constitute a new sale or enhancement of Pakistan's air combat capabilities. Such announcements are standard procedure in US defense procurement, covering updates, spare parts, and maintenance across multiple nations, it added.

Source: India Today