The U.S. government has authorized the possible sale of a significant batch of AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to equip the future fleet of F-35A stealth fighters of the German Air Force. The operation, notified by the State Department to the U.S. Congress for approval and framed under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, is valued at US$1.23 billion.
Following the confirmation of the purchase of 35 fifth-generation aircraft in December 2022, Germany is advancing in establishing the industrial framework to support the future stealth platform. This is reflected in the inauguration of the new facility in the town of Weeze, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Rheinmetall will manufacture fuselages for German fighters, as well as for allies and future operators.
Nonetheless, additional efforts are being directed at acquiring a wide array of weaponry to complete the F-35 weapons system, which includes both air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions of various types.
Originally, in addition to the stealth aircraft, the State Department also authorized the sale of “… medium to long-range BVR AIM-120C-8 missiles (105), short-range AIM-9X Block II+ Tactical Sidewinders (75); JASSM-ER extended-range smart bombs (75); GBU-53 bombs (344); and MK-82 500LB general-purpose bombs (264).”
It should be noted that Germany is making progress in expanding the armament included in the original F-35 package. Confirmation has been given that German Lightning II aircraft will be equipped with the new JSM cruise missiles developed by Norway’s Kongsberg, which has already begun integrating this weapon into the F-35s of the Nordic country.
Now, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the German government has requested the acquisition of the most advanced version of the long-range BVR air-to-air missiles of the AMRAAM family. In total, according to the publication dated September 25, the country placed an order to move forward with the purchase of 400 new AIM-120D-3 missiles, along with 12 guidance sections, containers, equipment, and related documentation. The value of the operation, with RTX Corporation as the main supplier, amounts to US$1.23 billion.
The State Department has indicated that: “… The proposed sale will enhance Germany’s ability to counter current and future threats by providing greater air-to-air capability for the German F-35 program and supporting Germany’s and NATO’s combined planning, training, and operational requirements. Germany will have no difficulty absorbing these items into its Armed Forces.”
Lastly, as has been noted on previous occasions, the AIM-120D-3 is one of the most advanced versions of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile family, incorporating improvements derived from the Form, Fit, and Function Refresh (F3R) program led by the United States Air Force (USAF). It is intended to serve as the primary BVR weapon for both fourth- and fifth-generation fighters.
Among the enhancements introduced through the F3R are software upgrades and updated circuit cards for the missile’s guidance section, as well as greater resilience to counter electronic warfare systems in contested operational environments.
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