Article Posted on : - Nov 16, 2009

Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) launched from an F-16 fighter. Image credit: Raytheon Company

DUBAI (BNS): The US Government has finalised a deal with three Arab countries – Kuwait, Morocco and Jordan, to sell the AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) system.

US defence firm Raytheon, which is producing the missiles, will sell the countries “an disclosed quantity of missiles for use in both air-to-air and air defence missions”, the company said in a statement on Sunday.

“By equipping our allies with the AIM-120C-7 through the Foreign Military Sales program, the US government strengthens regional security and promotes coalition interoperability,” Col. Michael Andersen, commander of the US Air Force's 328th Armament Systems Group, said.

The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a modern Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile capable of all weather day and night performance.

One of its latest variants, AIM-120C-7, has been integrated on the F-16, F-15, F/A-18, Typhoon and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. It is also the baseline missile for the US Army's Surface Launched-AMRAAM and the NATO-approved Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.

Over 33 countries, including Pakistan and Taiwan, have deployed the AMRAAM missile system.