US clarifies no new AMRAAM missiles for Pakistan

The United States on Friday dismissed media reports suggesting that Pakistan is set to obtain new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) under a recently revised defense contract. 

Clarifying its position, Washington stated that the agreement in question strictly pertains to maintenance and spare parts, and does not involve the supply of any new weapons.

In a statement, the US Embassy explained that the Department of War’s September 30 announcement referred to “an amendment to an existing Foreign Military Sales contract for sustainment and spares for several countries, including Pakistan.” 

It further stressed that “contrary to false media reports, no part of this referenced contract modification is for deliveries of new AMRAAMs to Pakistan,” adding that the sustainment work “does not include an upgrade to any of Pakistan's current capabilities.”

This clarification came in response to speculation in media outlets—including Pakistan’s Dawn—which interpreted the contract update as a fresh missile deal. The original notice had revealed that Raytheon Co., headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, received a $41 million modification to an ongoing AMRAAM production contract, bringing its total value to over $2.5 billion.

According to the Department of War, the contract involves Foreign Military Sales to a range of countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Australia, Qatar, Oman, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Kuwait, Turkiye, and Pakistan, with completion expected by May 2030. While Pakistan’s name appears on the list, the US Embassy clarified that its inclusion is solely related to sustainment support, not the delivery of additional missiles.

Pakistan had earlier procured around 700 AMRAAMs in 2007 for its F-16 fleet, which was among the largest foreign acquisitions of the missile system at the time. Reports of a potential new supply arrangement emerged soon after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir held a meeting with former US President Donald Trump in September.