Washington to supply Pakistan with air-to-air missiles by 2030

ISLAMABAD: The United States of America (USA) has approved the sale of advanced air-to-air missiles to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), a move seen as a sign of renewed military cooperation between the two countries.

According to official documents released by Washington, the new deal will provide Pakistan with AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) – the most advanced version of the series – by 2030.

The US Department of War (formerly Defense) confirmed that the contract, worth $2.5 billion, was awarded to Raytheon and will cover the production of AMRAAMs for several allied countries, including Pakistan, Turkey and other US partners.

The AIM-120D-3 missile represents the latest generation of the AMRAAM family, designed for beyond-visual-range (BVR) warfare and capable of neutralizing enemy aircraft and incoming missiles with greater accuracy and longer range.

Defense experts say the new acquisition will significantly enhance the strike capability and air defense capability of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. The upgraded missiles will replace the AIM-120C-5 versions currently in service, which were supplied with the F-16 Block 52 aircraft purchased by Pakistan in 2010.

“The AIM-120D-3 will give the PAF a distinct advantage in terms of accuracy and range in BVR engagements,” defense analysts noted, describing the move as a significant step in modernization.

Pakistan had reportedly been lobbying for the new-generation AMRAAMs for several years, seeking to modernize its air defense capabilities in line with regional developments.

The development reportedly followed a series of high-level meetings in July, when PAF chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu visited Washington and held talks with senior US military and political officials.

Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir also recently held several meetings with US President Donald Trump and top defence officials, indicating that Pakistan-US military ties have once again entered a phase of practical cooperation.

Earlier today, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had said that Pakistan’s military development strategy revolves around inducting efficient, effective platforms and promoting indigenous defence technology.

In an exclusive interview with international publication Bloomberg, the ISPR chief stressed that Pakistan is ready to acquire advanced technology from both eastern and western sources, while also strengthening its indigenous capabilities.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif told Bloomberg that Pakistan’s defence approach has been based on the desire for technical efficiency and operational effectiveness rather than hostility.

“Our military development strategy has always been to induct efficient and effective platforms and indigenous Pakistani technology,” he said.

He added that Pakistan is “ready to acquire all kinds of technology, whether it is self-made or from the East and West,” indicating Islamabad’s pragmatic stance on defense modernization.