US Approval of AIM-120C-8 Missiles Sale to Pakistan Sparks Indian Air Defense Concerns

The regional air combat balance in South Asia is once again shifting. The assertion that Pakistan is included in a new U.S. contract for the supply of advanced AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 air-to-air missiles produced by Raytheon is based on recent developments. On October 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) added Pakistan to a large-scale contract for the procurement of these missiles, signaling a potential upgrade for Pakistan's F-16 fleet. This move suggests that Islamabad's F-16s could soon receive enhanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagement capabilities.

The inclusion of Pakistan in this contract is part of a broader $41.6 billion AMRAAM export package approved by the U.S., covering over 30 allied nations. According to reports, this represents the largest air-to-air missile export authorization in U.S. history, aimed at strengthening allied airpower amid rising global tensions. While the exact number of AIM-120C-8 and D-3 missiles allocated to Pakistan is not specified, this development indicates a significant enhancement of Pakistan's air combat capabilities, particularly in BVR engagements.

Pakistan’s AMRAAM Upgrade

The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) has long been the mainstay of modern Western fighter arsenals. The latest AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 variants feature improved range, better guidance algorithms, enhanced data links, and superior resistance to electronic countermeasures. The D-3, in particular, is estimated to have an operational range exceeding 150 kilometers under optimal launch conditions — nearly double the range of earlier AMRAAM models.

Pakistan currently operates F-16C/D Block 50/52 fighters, all compatible with AMRAAM systems. These aircraft have so far been equipped with AIM-120C-5 and C-7 missiles. The new C-8/D-3 additions would represent a substantial leap, allowing the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to engage targets at longer ranges with greater accuracy and survivability.

Why Pakistan Seeks New Missiles Despite PL-15

Although Pakistan is reported to operate the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile, India is unlikely to consider it a serious threat for strategic planning, as the missile failed to perform effectively during the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. Most Pakistani aircraft were neutralized without evidence of PL-15 engagements, highlighting its operational limitations and reliability issues in real combat conditions. This underperformance reduces the urgency for India to specifically counter the PL-15, with focus remaining on AIM-120 upgrades varient to maintain air superiority.

Pakistan’s Air-to-Air Arsenal: Current Overview

The Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fleet primarily carries:

• AIM-120C-5/C-7: Range 75–105 km

• AIM-120C-8/D-3 (incoming): Range 130–160+ km

• AIM-9M and AIM-9X: Short-range IR-guided missiles, range up to 35 km

Combined with F-16’s APG-68 radar, these missiles give Pakistan a credible BVR strike capability. If the D-3 is confirmed, it will extend PAF’s engagement envelope well beyond the visual range of most Indian air-to-air missiles currently in use, except the Meteor.

India’s Counter Options Seen

To balance this shift, India has several options on the table:

1. MICA NG for Rafales – Across the border, India may not remain idle. The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) successfully tested the MICA NG (Next Generation) missile from a Rafale on June 19, 2025, marking a key milestone in its development. Available in infrared (IR) and active radar (RF) seeker variants within a common airframe, the missile offers a range of 80–110 kilometers, improved resistance to jamming, a dual-pulse motor for enhanced endgame energy, and AI-based signal processing for accurate target discrimination. For India, which operates 36 Rafales, the MICA NG is a natural upgrade, fully compatible with existing pylons and avionics and requiring no major structural modifications. Its recent successful flight test positions it for induction by 2026, potentially coinciding with the arrival of the next Rafale batch, allowing seamless enhancement of the Indian Air Force’s BVR engagement capabilities.

2. Astra Mk-II – India’s indigenous BVR missile program continues to mature. Developed by DRDO, the Astra Mk-II is designed for an effective range of 130–160 km, comparable to the AMRAAM D-series. It incorporates a dual-pulse motor, improved midcourse guidance, and an indigenous active radar seeker. According to official statements, serial production could begin by 2026–2027, following successful user trials. Once inducted, it will be compatible with Su-30MKI, Tejas Mk1A, and potentially the future TEDBF and AMCA platforms.

Why Russia’s R-37M Cannot Replace India’s Astra Mk-II

India is reportedly evaluating the long-range R-37M missile for possible integration with its Su-30MKI fleet. Originally developed for the MiG-31, the R-37M is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile capable of striking targets at distances of up to 300–400 kilometers, depending on the launch profile and blistering Mach 6 speed. Yet, despite its impressive specifications, it does not meet India’s operational requirements that are currently fulfilled by the Astra Mk-II and Meteor missiles. The reasons lie in its design purpose, agility, guidance system, and integration limitations.

The R-37M was built as a heavy interceptor missile for the MiG-31 to engage large, high-value targets such as AWACS and refueling aircraft. Weighing around 600 kilograms, it is optimized for high-altitude, high-speed launches, not for agile dogfights. Against maneuvering fighter jets, its performance drops sharply, especially at long range.

By comparison, Astra Mk-II and Meteor are lighter, multi-role beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles specifically designed for dynamic fighter combat. Astra Mk-II uses a dual-pulse rocket motor that preserves energy in the final engagement phase, while Meteor’s ramjet sustains thrust throughout flight. Both are far more maneuverable and maintain better terminal accuracy against evasive fighters.

Guidance and integration are another key difference. The R-37M uses Russian datalinks and avionics tailored to MiG-31 and Su-35 systems, making full integration with Indian aircraft like Su-30MKI or Tejas complex. Astra Mk-II, in contrast, was designed from the ground up for Indian platforms and uses an indigenous active radar seeker compatible with the IAF’s networked targeting system. Meteor also benefits from full integration within the Rafale’s advanced avionics, allowing real-time data sharing and cooperative engagements.

Size and load capacity further limit the R-37M’s practicality. Its large dimensions restrict how many can be carried on a fighter aircraft, whereas Astra Mk-II and Meteor are compact enough to allow multiple loadouts and flexible mission profiles.

In real combat conditions, the R-37M’s hit probability against a maneuvering fighter is considerably lower than its maximum range suggests. It excels at striking large or slow-moving targets, not in high-g, close-quarter BVR duels where agility and seeker performance matter most.

Why Meteor Missile Not Added

The Meteor missile, often cited as the most advanced BVR weapon in South Asia, is reported to be planned for integration with Indian Rafales. Powered by a ramjet engine, it offers sustained thrust, high energy, and maneuverability even at long ranges, with a no-escape zone exceeding 150 km. However, there are high possibilities that Meteor is not yet fully integrated with Indian Rafales. The reasons are unclear, possibly due to delays from Dassault or integration challenges with Indian avionics. This assessment is reinforced by the absence of any confirmed use of Meteor in the India-Pakistan conflict of May 2025, where Pakistan’s aircraft were mostly neutralized using the S-400 missile defense system rather than Meteor. As a result, while Meteor remains a technologically advanced option, its operational status in India appears limited, making it unlikely to be a fleet-wide standard at present.

Pakistan’s acquisition of advanced AMRAAM variants could temporarily tilt the BVR balance in its favor, especially if deliveries occur swiftly. However, India’s layered approach — combining Meteor-equipped Rafales, Astra Mk-II production, and potential MICA NG integration — ensures it remains on track to maintain superiority in both technology and numbers.