ISLAMABAD: In a notable development reflecting improving defence ties between Washington and Islamabad, US defence giant Raytheon is set to provide Pakistan with the latest variants of its Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) for use on the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) F-16 fighter jets.
The decision follows a contract modification issued by the US Department of War on September 30, which officially included Pakistan among the list of international buyers for the AMRAAM’s enhanced C8 and D3 versions. The revised agreement brings the total value of Raytheon’s AMRAAM program to $2.5 billion, up from $2.47 billion.
Production will take place at Raytheon’s facility in Tucson, Arizona, with completion expected by May 30, 2030. The contract encompasses sales to more than two dozen countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and now Pakistan.
Pakistan’s inclusion is significant, as the country had not been listed in the initial May 7 contract for the missile program. The AMRAAMs are already familiar to the PAF the same missiles were reportedly used during Operation Swift Retort in February 2019, when Pakistani fighter jets intercepted and shot down two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft that violated Pakistani airspace over Kashmir.
Pakistan had previously purchased 700 AMRAAMs in 2007, which at the time marked the largest-ever international order for the missile.
Strengthening Pakistan–US Relations
The development signals a continued thaw in Pakistan–US relations, which have gradually improved since the start of Donald Trump’s presidency. Recent diplomatic and military engagements suggest that both countries are entering a new chapter in their strategic and economic partnership.
Chinese Weapon Systems “Performed Exceptionally Well”
Meanwhile, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry revealed that Chinese weapon systems used during Pakistan’s four-day military confrontation with India in May performed “exceptionally well.”
According to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the PAF deployed Chinese J-10C fighter jets during retaliatory strikes against Indian positions following the May 7 incursion. A report by The Guardian highlighted that the conflict marked the first-ever combat use of Chinese J-10C aircraft and PL-15 air-to-air missiles anywhere in the world.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Lt Gen Chaudhry praised the performance of Chinese platforms, saying, “Of course, lately, recent Chinese platforms they’ve demonstrated exceptionally well. We are open to all sorts of technology.”
The ISPR chief also stated that Pakistan had revised its tally of Indian aircraft losses during the conflict from six to seven, a figure that aligns with US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks acknowledging the downing of “seven aircraft” during the skirmish.
Rejecting Indian claims that Pakistan lost any of its planes, Lt Gen Chaudhry said:
“Pakistan has never tried to play with figures and facts.”
Rising Tensions and Future Warnings
The conflict, described by Bloomberg as the largest battlefield deployment of Chinese weaponry in modern times, led to a rally in the shares of Chinese defence manufacturers amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Following renewed Indian political and military statements accusing Pakistan of terrorism allegations Islamabad strongly denies the Pakistani military warned last week that any future conflict could result in “cataclysmic devastation.”
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif echoed this sentiment a day later, saying India had suffered a “decisive defeat with a score of 6–0” in the May escalation.
“If they try again, God willing, the score will be even better than the last time,” he added.
