Poland Poised to Enhance Defense with $1.33 Billion AMRAAM Missile Deal Approved by US
The United States Department of State has granted approval for Poland’s request to acquire RTX AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. This authorization represents a vital milestone in permitting the sale under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework.
The paperwork related to the prospective sale has now been forwarded to the United States Congress for review. If the procedure advances seamlessly, the intergovernmental Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) could be finalized before the close of this year.
As per the Department of State, Poland aims to obtain 400 operational AIM-120D-3 missiles, together with a package of spare components and a solitary missile allocated for flight evaluation. The suggested package also encompasses training, logistical support, and operational maintenance services offered by the United States.
The projected expense of the entire package is up to $1.33 billion, although the conclusive cost will be finalized through subsequent intergovernmental discussions. If the acquisition is finalized, this will signify the next delivery of AIM-120 series missiles to the Polish Air Force.
The missiles are designed to be utilized predominantly on Poland’s Lockheed Martin F-16C/D “Jastrząb” and Lockheed Martin F-35A “Husarz” multirole fighter aircraft. The introduction of this advanced armament is anticipated to bolster the Polish Air Force’s proficiency in achieving air superiority over potential threats.
The AIM-120D-3 variant is notable for its capacity to target opponents at distances exceeding 150 kilometers from the launch site. In August of the previous year, Poland’s Armament Agency signed an intergovernmental agreement for the acquisition of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles, with deliveries planned between 2029 and 2033.
