Pakistan is now one of 30 countries that have signed a US missile sales agreement.
A change to Raytheon’s current contract with the US Air Force would result in the sale of advanced US air-to-air missiles to Pakistan.
The US Department of War made the announcement on September 30th, adding Islamabad to a significant worldwide missile delivery program.
A $41.6 million firm-fixed-price modification to an existing contract for the production of upgraded C8 and D3 versions of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) was given to Raytheon, the statement said. With completion anticipated by May 2030, the contract’s total value has increased from $2.47 billion to $2.5 billion.
Worldwide Missile Program
The Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 Falcon aircraft use the AMRAAM, which can engage targets beyond visual range. Along with the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and other countries, the revised contract names Pakistan as one of 30 countries authorized for purchase.
The buyers identified in the May 7 version of the transaction did not include Pakistan. Its presence is a reflection of the changing relationship between the US and Pakistan, as military and economic cooperation has accelerated recently.
STRATEGIC COOPERATION RENEWED
Bilateral relations have improved over the past year as a result of several agreements and investments. The Missouri-based United States Strategic Minerals (USSM) group promised to spend $500 million in Pakistan’s vital minerals industry, with an emphasis on antimony, copper, tungsten, gold, and rare earth elements, as part of a memorandum signed in September.
Furthermore, the National Logistics Corporation and Portugal’s Mota-Engil Group inked a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue engineering and construction projects that complement Pakistan’s infrastructure objectives. Additionally, a historic trade agreement between Washington and Islamabad has reduced reciprocal tariffs from 29% to 19%.
TIES OF DEFENSE
Recalling Pakistan’s long history as an AMRAAM operator since its 2007 buy for 700 missiles, the largest international purchase of its kind at the time, this most recent missile contract adds a significant layer to the cooperation. According to reports, the Pakistan Air Force used the same weapon system during Operation Swift Retort in 2019, which resulted in the downing of Indian aircraft for violating airspace over Kashmir.
The agreement, whose delivery is anticipated to last until 2030, represents ongoing military collaboration between Washington and Islamabad as Pakistan strengthens its air defense capabilities in tandem with a growing strategic partnership with the US.