America Links Pakistan To Deadly AIM-120C8 Missile Programme – Is A Fighter Jet Killer On The Way? Tensions With India Set To Rise! | World News

Washington: The US Department of Defense has updated the official list of countries eligible to procure Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). Pakistan is among the potential buyers of the AIM-120C8/D3 missile produced by the American defense company Raytheon. The Department of Defense website emphasizes that the update comes under an existing contract (FA8675-23-C-0037) covering more than a dozen countries.

In simple terms, the US updated its existing missile supply contract with a $41.68 million arrangement (P00026), adding Islamabad to its supplier list. This does not yet constitute a signed agreement for immediate delivery, but it paves the way for potential future military sales.

The larger Raytheon contract is worth about $2.51 billion and Pakistan has been officially added to it. The US currently exports these missiles to allies such as the UK, Germany, Australia and Japan. It is currently unclear how many missiles Pakistan will receive, but it shows that Washington is once again ready to supply the country with modern weapons.

Fighter Killer for Pakistan?

Integration of the AIM-120C8/D3 with Pakistan’s F-16 jets could transform them into highly lethal platforms. The missile’s advanced guidance systems and beyond visual range capabilities allow it to target enemy fighters, surveillance aircraft and AWACS with exceptional precision.

Pakistan currently operates 18 F-16C/D Block-52 jets. During past conflicts, India had shot down some of these aircraft, including one in the 2019 conflict. New US missile variants could revive and even improve Pakistan’s air strike potential.

This is not the first time Pakistan has procured advanced missiles from the US. Between 2006 and 2007, under the ‘Peace Drive II’ program, Islamabad purchased 18 F-16C/D Block-52 fighter jets for $650 million. The agreement included 500 AIM-120C5 missiles. Reports indicate that Pakistan used these missiles against India’s MiG-21 jets in 2019.

However, the AIM-120C5 is now considered obsolete. The C8 and D3 variants offer improved range (more than 160 kilometres), updated guidance systems and resistance to electronic interference, making them significantly more effective.

How Deadly is the AIM-120C8/D3?

While the AIM-120D missile is in service with the US Air Force, the AIM-120C8 is its export version. Although slightly less advanced than the original, it remains extremely reliable and technologically powerful.

The USA also provides this missile to Saudi Arabia. According to the Ministry of Defense, Pakistan’s inclusion in the AIM-120C8 export list brings with it stringent end-use monitoring and non-proliferation agreements to diplomatically manage regional tensions.

Following Operation Sindoor in May, Pakistan Air Force Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar visited Washington in July 2025. Reports since then indicate that the United States may cautiously resume limited advanced arms sales to Pakistan. Details on delivery timelines and the exact number of missiles remain unclear, but the move signals a potential recalibration of air power dynamics in South Asia.