The US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Saudi Arabia for an estimated cost of $650m, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated in a November 4 release.
According to the DSCA, Saudi Arabia requested the procurement of 280 AIM-120C-7/C-8-variant AMRAAMs and 596 LAU-128 Missile Rail Launchers (MRL), in addition to weapon and equipment support, spare and repair parts, and technical and logistical support services.
![AIM-120D](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/styles/article_body/public/inline-images/AIM-120D.jpg?itok=-rIycrGe)
This potential sale will support Saudi Arabia’s Eurofighter Typhoon, F-15C/D, F-15S, and F-I5SA programmes and will further strengthen the interoperability between the United States and Saudi Arabia, the DSCA stated. The principal contractor will be US-based defence OEM Raytheon.
The AMRAAM family of missiles have been procured for use by 41 countries worldwide and integrated onto platforms such as F-15A/B/C/D/E Eagle/Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-22 Raptor, Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, Tornado and Harrier.
Manufacturer Raytheon Missile & Defense states that the newest variant is the only radar-guided air-to-air missile cleared to fly on the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.