U.S. Clarifies No New AMRAAM Missile Supply to Pakistan Under Recent Contract Update

The United States has dismissed recent media reports claiming that Pakistan is set to receive AIM-120C-8/D-3 Missile ,with range 130–160+ km,  under a revised defence contract. The clarification, issued by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, makes clear that the latest contract modification only concerns sustainment and spare-parts support for previously supplied systems, and does not involve the transfer of new missiles or any enhancement of Pakistan’s air combat capabilities.

According to the embassy statement, the U.S. Department of War’s announcement on September 30 referred to an amendment to an existing Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract. The modification, valued at around USD 41 million, was awarded to Raytheon Technologies, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. The updated contract expands the total value of Raytheon’s AMRAAM production and sustainment program to over USD 2.5 billion and includes multiple allied and partner nations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Türkiye, and Pakistan.

The embassy emphasized that Pakistan’s inclusion in the contract list is limited to sustainment and maintenance support services for its existing systems. “Contrary to false media reports, no part of this contract modification involves new AMRAAM deliveries to Pakistan,” the statement clarified.

Misreporting and Context

The misunderstanding appears to have stemmed from Pakistan’s mention in the official Pentagon announcement, which some media outlets interpreted as an indication of renewed missile supplies. Pakistani daily Dawn and other regional publications suggested that the updated agreement could signal a possible resumption of U.S. arms sales to Islamabad after years of restrictions.

The speculation gained attention as it followed recent diplomatic interactions between Washington and Islamabad, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in September. The timing led to assumptions of deeper defence cooperation. However, U.S. officials have now clarified that the current update is purely administrative and technical, meant to support previously delivered systems under the existing FMS framework.

Historical Background

Pakistan originally received approximately 700 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles in 2007 as part of its F-16 fighter modernization program — at the time, one of the largest international acquisitions of the missile. These missiles remain the core of Pakistan’s beyond-visual-range (BVR) air combat inventory.

However, in the years following the decline in U.S.–Pakistan defence cooperation, Washington refrained from authorizing any new AMRAAM sales or upgrades. Restrictions were maintained due to concerns over technology transfer and regional security sensitivities, particularly in South Asia.

Strategic Implications

By reaffirming that the latest amendment involves no new deliveries or capability enhancements, the U.S. has sought to dispel speculation about any expansion of Pakistan’s air combat capacity. The clarification also reflects Washington’s continued adherence to export control norms and transparency obligations in sensitive regions.

Defence analysts note that such sustainment contracts are standard practice under long-term military supply arrangements, allowing recipient nations to maintain operational readiness of existing assets without adding new capabilities.

The updated Raytheon contract, scheduled for completion by May 2030, will therefore continue providing logistical and technical support to multiple U.S. partners — including Pakistan — without altering the strategic balance in South Asia.

In essence, the U.S. statement underscores that Pakistan’s participation in the latest FMS amendment is routine maintenance support, not a step toward renewed weapons transfers or new missile production. The clarification aims to correct misinterpretations and ensure transparency amid heightened regional sensitivities over defence cooperation and missile technology.