Article Posted on : - Aug 18, 2014

An F-35A Lightning II test fires an AMRAAM missile off the California coast. A US Air Force photo courtesy Raytheon

WASHINGTON (BNS): The US Government has approved a possible sale of AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Turkey under the Foreign Military Sales programme.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) had notified the Congress of the possible sale on August 11, 2014 and the US State Department has approved the deal, estimated to be worth $320 million.

Turkey had sought to buy 145 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM systems, 10 missile guidance sections, and 40 LAU-129 launchers, containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts along with other related items.

"The Turkish Air Force (TAF) intends to obtain these missiles to modernise its inventory, which will support its own air defence needs and improve its interoperability with the US and other NATO allies.

"The missiles will be used on the TAF's F-16 fighter aircraft (and eventually their F-35 aircraft) and will maintain the TAF's air-to-air capability to defend its extensive coastline and borders against future threats," the DSCA said.

Raytheon, the producer of AMRAAM, will act as the prime contractor for the FMS programme.