The government of the United States has authorized the possible sale of a significant number of AIM-9X Block II tactical air-to-air missiles to equip the Royal Danish Air Force’s stealth F-35A fighters. This was detailed in one of the latest operations approved by the U.S. Department of State and notified to Congress, in order to move forward with the transaction under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, valued at US$318.4 million.
Denmark is currently deepening the modernization process of its combat aviation, centered on the acquisition and incorporation of fifth-generation F-35A fighters. As more units arrive on Danish soil, they are set to replace the F-16.
Recently, these efforts gained new momentum with confirmation that the Northern European country will expand its original Lightning II order with the purchase of sixteen (16) additional aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement was made last October by the Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, after reaching several parliamentary agreements and commitments and receiving the green light to begin the corresponding contractual negotiations.
In parallel with this process, and as detailed in the November 12 notification by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Danish government requested from the United States the purchase of a total of three hundred forty (340) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, along with guidance sections and related equipment.
The operation, valued at US$318.4 million, lists RTX Corporation as the principal contractor. It also complements other authorized sales supporting Denmark in completing the F-35’s weapons suite, as reflected by the approval issued in October 2024, which likewise included the sale of AIM-120D-3 air-to-air missiles for the stealth fighters.
According to the Department of State: “The proposed sale will enhance Denmark’s ability to counter current and future threats by ensuring interoperability of its air forces with the United States and other allied forces, as well as its ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest. Denmark currently operates the AIM-9X missile system with F-35A aircraft and ground-based air defense, and will have no difficulty absorbing these items and services into its armed forces.”
Photographs used for illustration purposes.
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