The U.S. State Department approved the $140 million sale of 32 AIM-120D Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Canada for use on its F/A-18 aircraft, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
“This proposed sale of defense articles and services is required to enable RCAF fighters to optimally fulfill both North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) and NATO missions and also meets the U.S. Northern Command’s goals of combined air operations interoperability and standardization between Canadian and U.S. forces,” DSCA said in a press release on Wednesday, November 1.
“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, a key democratic partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability,” the release said.
The potential sale also includes captive air training missiles, instrumentation units, test vehicles, containers, weapon support and support equipment, as well as spare and repair parts, among other services.
Raytheon Missile Systems in Tuscon, Arizona will be the principal contractor for the deal, according to the release.
AIM-120 AMRAAM foreign sales
AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles have been procured by 37 countries. The missiles have been integrated onto various U.S.-made fighter jets including F-22, F/A-18, F-16, F-15, as well as the Eurofighter 2000 and Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen.
In October, the State Department approved the $53 million sale of 26 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAMs to the Netherlands, and the $113 million sale of 56 AIM 120C-7 AMRAAMs to Japan.
The AIM-120D is an upgraded and improved version, with improvements in almost all areas, including a 50 percent greater range than the AIM-120C-7 as well as better guidance. It was scheduled to be fielded by the U.S. Navy from 2014, and to be carried by all Pacific carrier groups by 2020.
The first foreign contract for the AIM-120D was the $1.22 billion billion sale of 450 AIM-120D missiles and associated equipment for use on for use on Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35 Lightning II aircraft, which was approved by the State Department in April 2016.
