US Approved Sale of 450 AIM-120D AMRAAM to Australia

The AIM-120D,  formerly known as AIM-120C-8 is the latest model of the AMRAAM (photo : xtrememachine11)

WASHINGTON - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and associated equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.22 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 21, 2016.


The Government of Australia requested a possible sale of:

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to 450 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AIM-120D)
Up to 34 AIM-120D Air Vehicles Instrumented (AAVI)
Up to 6 Instrumented Test Vehicles (ITVs)
Up to 10 spare AIM-120 Guidance Sections (GSs)

This request also includes the following Non-MDE: containers, weapon system support equipment, support and test equipment, site survey, transportation, repair and return warranties, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training, and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

The total estimated value of MDE is $1.08 billion. The total overall estimated value is $1.22 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner and major contributor to political stability, security, and economic development in the Pacific region and globally.

This proposed sale is in support of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F/A-18, E/A-18G, and F-35 aircraft. This proposed sale will provide the RAAF additional air-to-air intercept capability and increase interoperability with the U.S. Air Force. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor for production is Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona. The principal contractor for integration is unknown and will be determined during contract negotiations. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. or contractor representatives to Australia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

(DSCA)