New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI) The United States clarified today that reports suggesting Pakistan would receive new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) under a recently amended contract were incorrect.
The US Embassy explained that the contract modification pertains only to sustainment and spare parts support, and does not involve any new weapons deliveries.
In a statement, the Department confirmed that the Department of War's announcement on September 30 referred to “an amendment to an existing Foreign Military Sales contract for sustainment and spares for several countries, including Pakistan.”
It emphasized that “contrary to false media reports, no part of this referenced contract modification is for deliveries of new AMRAAMs to Pakistan” and clarified that the sustainment work “does not include an upgrade to any of Pakistan’s current capabilities.”
The clarification came after media reports claimed that the US was providing new missile systems to Pakistan. The Department emphasized that these reports were false and stressed that the changes were part of routine support work, not a new weapons sale.
This clarification comes in response to media reports, including one from Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, which misinterpreted the US Department of Defense’s September 30 update as indicating a new missile sale to Pakistan. The official announcement disclosed that Raytheon Co., based in Tucson, Arizona, received a USD 41 million modification to an existing AMRAAM production contract, raising its total value to over USD 2.5 billion.
According to the initial statement from the Department of Defense, the contract involves foreign military sales to various countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Australia, Qatar, Oman, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Kuwait, Turkey, and Pakistan, and is expected to be completed by May 2030. Although Pakistan was listed among the countries in the announcement, the US Embassy has confirmed that Pakistan's inclusion pertains only to ongoing sustainment support, not to new missile deliveries.
In 2007, Pakistan had purchased approximately 700 AMRAAMs for its F-16 fleet, which at the time represented the largest international order of the air-to-air missile system.
Reports of a new supply deal surfaced shortly after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir met with US President Donald Trump in September.
The AMRAAM is a long-range air-to-air missile used by many US allies. US officials stated that the administration remains committed to transparency in defense deals and to ensuring that such agreements do not disturb the regional military balance.
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