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.