No New Missiles For Pakistan, Only ‘Sustainment,’ US Clarifies After Reports
The United States has categorically denied media reports suggesting it had approved the sale of new, highly advanced AIM-120 air-to-air missiles to Pakistan. In a statement issued Friday morning, the US Embassy in Islamabad called the reports “false,” clarifying that the contract being referenced is for maintenance and support, not for new weapon deliveries.”No part of this referenced contract modification is for deliveries of new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan,” the embassy’s clarification read. However, it confirmed that the contract was for “sustainment and spares for several countries, including Pakistan.”
This nuance is significant as “sustainment” could potentially include replenishing missile stocks that Pakistan may have used during recent military engagements, such as the ‘Operation Sindoor’ clashes with India.The clarification directly rebuts recent reports in several media outlets that claimed Pakistan was set to receive a fresh supply of AMRAAM missiles for its F-16 fleet.
Those reports had fueled speculation that the US was offering Pakistan a significant capability upgrade amid warming ties between the two nations, a move that would have implications for the regional military balance.The US statement appears designed to quell these concerns, emphasizing that the contract is for supporting existing systems rather than enhancing them. The contract modification in question, valued at $41.7 million, was awarded to Raytheon Missiles & Defense for the continued production of AMRAAM variants.
It is part of a broader Foreign Military Sales program involving over 30 allied nations, with a total value of approximately $2.5 billion.The US Embassy stressed that such announcements are standard procedure in defense procurement and cover routine updates, spare parts, and maintenance for multiple nations. The statement makes it clear that Washington does not consider this a new sale or an enhancement of Pakistan’s air combat capabilities.
