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2d ago

U.S. Authorizes Potential Sale of AIM-120C‑8 AMRAAMs to South Korea

It signals a U.S. push to strengthen Seoul's air defense through expanded fighter interoperability as Congress begins formal review.

A senior airman from the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit loosens a strap, on an AMRAAM during Exercise Combat Archer at Eglin AFB, Fla. on June 10, 2020 (U.S. Air Force Photo)
This photo, released by South Korea's Air Force, shows an F-35A fighter jet firing an AMRAAM air-to-air missile during a training session in a firing range in the Yellow Sea on March 24, 2023. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • The State Department approved a proposed government-to-government Foreign Military Sale of 70 AIM-120C‑8 AMRAAM missiles and related items with an estimated price of $292 million.
  • The package includes two AIM-120C‑8 guidance sections, missile containers, control sections, spare parts, technical support and logistics to operate and maintain the weapons.
  • RTX Corporation of Arlington, Virginia, is named as the principal contractor for the potential sale and the deal now enters the required congressional notification and review process.
  • U.S. officials said the transfer would expand South Korea's air-defense reach, deter regional aggression and improve the ability of South Korean fighters to operate with U.S. forces.
  • The authorization follows a separate recent U.S. approval for JDAM precision bombs and adds to near-term U.S. efforts to modernize Seoul's air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, reflecting operational demand shown in past ROK Air Force training with AMRAAM-capable jets.