The US State Department has approved a potential sale of AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Saudi Arabia under a deal worth up to $650 million.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requested to buy 280 AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAMs, as well as 596 LAU-128 missile rail launchers and other related logistical and program support items.
With this potential purchase, Saudi Arabia will increase its stocks of medium-range missiles for its fighter aircraft fleet, which includes Eurofighter Typhoon, F-15C/D, F-15S, and F-I5SA.
“This proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political and economic progress in the Middle East,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
Should the foreign military sale deal be finalized, Raytheon would be the prime contractor.
AMRAAM is a supersonic missile with an active radar in service with 40 countries. It is based on the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile and has a range of over 20 miles.
