U.S. Approves $730 Million Sale of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Missiles to Strengthen Denmark’s F-35 Fleet

The United States has formally approved the sale of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Denmark, marking a major step in Copenhagen’s ongoing modernization of its combat aviation capabilities. The decision, announced through a recent notification from the U.S. Department of State to Congress, falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and carries an estimated value of $730 million.

Denmark Expands Airpower as F-35 Fleet Grows

Denmark is rapidly transforming its air force structure as it transitions from fourth-generation F-16s to fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters. The Royal Danish Air Force has already begun retiring its F-16s, with several transferred to Ukraine as part of Denmark’s support for Kyiv. Additionally, six F-16AM/BM fighters have been delivered to Argentina under a separate agreement.

Copenhagen’s long-term plan includes not only fielding a fully operational F-35 fleet but also negotiating for an additional batch of stealth aircraft. Danish lawmakers have signaled broad political backing for strengthening national and NATO-aligned airpower as regional security challenges intensify.

New Missiles to Enhance Long-Range Engagement Capabilities

The approved package includes:

• 200 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs

• Three guidance sections

• Training, spare parts, and contractor support

RTX Corporation has been named the primary contractor. The C-8 variant—one of the latest in the AMRAAM family—offers improved guidance, enhanced electronic counter-countermeasures, and longer operational ranges, making it a critical weapon for modern air combat, particularly when paired with the advanced sensor and networking capabilities of the F-35.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) emphasized that the sale will “improve Denmark’s capability to meet current and future threats” by ensuring access to modern, combat-proven air-to-air munitions. The acquisition also reinforces NATO interoperability, as AMRAAM-equipped F-35s are increasingly central to European air defense planning.

A Broader Danish Missile Procurement Strategy

The newly approved purchase is part of a broader Danish strategy to expand its air-to-air weapons inventory. In the past year alone, Denmark has submitted requests for:

• AIM-9X Block II short-range missiles (November 2024)

• AIM-120D-3 medium/long-range missiles (October 2024)

The AIM-120D-3—the most advanced AMRAAM variant currently used by the U.S. Air Force—is typically approved only for close allies, underscoring Washington’s confidence in Denmark’s defense role.

Denmark has also made previous requests for the AIM-120C-8, including a June 2024 submission for 84 missiles, demonstrating a clear focus on building a robust ammunition stockpile as its F-35 fleet expands.

Geopolitical Context and Regional Importance

The sale comes at a time of heightened security tensions in Northern Europe and the Arctic. Denmark’s strategic location—bridging the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea—places it at the center of NATO’s deterrence posture against emerging air and missile threats.

The F-35, armed with AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 missiles, significantly enhances Denmark’s ability to contribute to NATO air policing, joint strike missions, and integrated air & missile defense networks.

U.S. officials noted that Denmark “will have no difficulty absorbing these items into its armed forces,” reflecting the country’s increasingly sophisticated defense infrastructure and ongoing investments in training, sustainment, and modernization.

Strengthening NATO’s Collective Air Defense

With multiple European nations upgrading to the F-35 and procuring next-generation munitions, NATO is building one of the most interoperable air combat networks in its history. Denmark’s latest purchase adds to similar acquisitions by Norway, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom, all of whom field advanced AMRAAM variants.

The approved sale not only deepens U.S.-Danish defense cooperation but also reinforces the alliance’s long-term shift toward integrated, stealth-enabled, precision airpower.

As Denmark continues expanding its missile inventory and negotiating more aircraft, its role within NATO’s northern defense corridor is set to grow significantly—making this latest AMRAAM sale a critical building block in shaping the region’s future air combat readiness.