The United States on Friday clarified that Pakistan will not receive new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) under a recently amended contract, dismissing media reports suggesting otherwise. The US Embassy confirmed that the contract modification pertains only to sustainment and spare parts support for existing systems.

Clarification on the contract

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.” The embassy emphasised, “Contrary to false media reports, no part of this referenced contract modification is for deliveries of new AMRAAMs to Pakistan.”

Officials further noted that the sustainment work does not include any upgrade to Pakistan’s current capabilities. This clarification comes after reports in media outlets, including Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, misinterpreted the Department of War’s contract update as a new missile sale.

Details of the contract

The official release announced that Raytheon Co., based in Tucson, Arizona, received a USD 41 million modification to an existing AMRAAM production contract, taking the total contract value to over USD 2.5 billion. The contract covers foreign military sales to several countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Australia, Qatar, Oman, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Kuwait, Türkiye, and Pakistan, with completion expected by May 2030.

While Pakistan was listed among the participating countries, the embassy clarified that the inclusion relates solely to sustainment and spare parts support, not to the delivery of new missiles.

Past AMRAAM purchases by Pakistan

Pakistan had previously purchased around 700 AMRAAMs in 2007 for its F-16 fleet, which at the time was the largest international order for the air-to-air missile system.

Reports of a new supply deal surfaced weeks after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir met with US President Donald Trump in September, further fuelling speculation.

Conclusion

The US clarification underscores that the recent contract amendment is limited to maintenance and logistical support for existing AMRAAM inventories, with no addition to Pakistan’s missile capabilities. The statement aims to prevent misinterpretation in media coverage and reinforce transparency in foreign military sales.