The United States government has authorized the potential sale of new AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to equip the F-35 stealth fighters of the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare). The operation, notified by the Department of State on June 16, includes the provision of the most modern variant of the medium-range air-to-air missile through the FMS program, designated AIM-120D-3, which is offered only to select U.S. allies.
According to the official publication by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Italian government requested the purchase of a total of seventy (70) AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. The operation, with RTX Corporation as the primary contractor, is valued at an estimated USD 211 million and includes the delivery of thirty (30) AIM-120D-3 missiles —the most advanced version of the system— and forty (40) AIM-120C-8 missiles, the most modern export-approved variant.
As stated in previous authorizations for U.S. allies, the AIM-120D-3 stands out as the most recent and advanced version of the AMRAAM missile, currently in service only with U.S. Air Force combat aircraft and select allied nations. This variant incorporates improvements in range, navigation and guidance systems, as well as enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures compared to the AIM-120C-8.
The Italian government’s request aims primarily to maintain and strengthen the stockpiles of the main air-to-air weapon in service with the F-35 stealth fighters of the Aeronautica Militare, complementing previous orders made during 2024.
In this regard, previous authorizations granted in February 2024 are highlighted, including AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and GBU-53/B bombs, followed later by short-range AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ missiles.
The Department of State noted: “The proposed sale will improve Italy’s capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring Italy has modern, capable air-to-air munitions. It will also advance United States interoperability with NATO and the Italian Armed Forces. Italy already has AMRAAMs in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
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