US Approves Major Contract for Romania AIM-120 AMRAAM Air-to-Air Missiles
On August 22, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential foreign military sale to Romania, which includes Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AIM-120 AMRAAM) and associated equipment, for an estimated cost of $592 million. This certification, necessary for the sale’s progression, was formally transmitted to Congress today by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
Romania seeks to bolster its defense capabilities with the acquisition of one hundred eighty-six AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs, as well as four guidance sections for the same missile type. These missiles are part of a broader defense package that includes various types of training missiles, missile containers, propulsion sections, control sections, telemetry kits, and warhead spares. Additional components of the sale not related to the missiles include KGV-135A Cryptographic Devices, Common Munitions Built-In-Test/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE), and ADU-891 Computer Test Set Adapter Groups.
The equipment and support services requested by Romania also include spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support; ammunition support and support equipment; various classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; software delivery and support; warranties; and comprehensive studies and surveys. The logistical and program support elements outlined in the sales proposal are designed to enhance Romania’s operational readiness and maintenance capabilities.
RTX Corporation, based in Tucson, AZ, is named as the principal contractor for the deal, and no offset agreements are currently associated with this proposed sale.
The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is a modern air-air missile used by the US Air Force and Navy as well as several NATO allies and other countries. This missile is designed to exceed the capabilities of older air-air missiles, offering extended range and the ability to strike targets well beyond visual range (BVR). The missile’s propulsion system enables it to achieve supersonic speeds, thus increasing its effectiveness against fast and maneuverable targets.
In terms of guidance, the AIM-120 AMRAAM is equipped with an autonomous active radar that allows it to track and engage targets with high precision, independent of the launching aircraft’s systems after firing. The missile can also be guided to its target via data links, allowing for in-flight updates or re-targeting based on information from the launching aircraft or other platforms. This flexibility in guidance and the ability to operate in various environments make it a key element in the modern air defense arsenal, capable of responding to a multitude of aerial threats in combat.