United States has authorized the sale of advanced AIM-120C-8 missiles to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department has sanctioned a prospective $3.5 billion transaction for advanced air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia, enhancing the kingdom’s military capabilities and solidifying its strategic alliance with the United States. Announced on May 2, 2025, by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, this agreement encompasses 1,000 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, referred to as AMRAAMs, along with 50 additional guidance sections and a range of support equipment and services.

RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, Arizona, will be the primary contractor responsible for the production and delivery of these missiles, pending Congressional approval. This deal highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernizing its air force in a complex regional security environment while emphasizing its dependence on American defense technology to enhance its aerial superiority.

Additionally, the sale prompts considerations regarding the integration of U.S. systems with Saudi Arabia’s increasing stockpile of Chinese military equipment, a factor that may influence the kingdom’s defense strategy in the future. The AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM is the forefront of medium-range air-to-air missile technology, engineered for exceptional precision and lethality in contemporary aerial warfare.

Approximately 12 feet long and 7 inches in diameter, the missile weighs around 356 pounds and is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor that can achieve speeds over Mach 4, or about 3,000 miles per hour. With a range of up to 180 kilometers, it represents a significant advancement over previous models, allowing pilots to engage targets from greater distances. Its guidance system combines active radar, inertial navigation, and GPS correction, enabling independent operation post-launch, a capability known as ‘fire-and-forget.’

This feature diminishes dependence on the radar of the launching aircraft, allowing pilots to target multiple threats or evade dangers. The AIM-120C-8 is equipped with a two-way data link, referred to as Link 16, which facilitates real-time trajectory updates, thereby improving its precision against agile targets. Its active radar seeker is engineered to identify stealth aircraft with minimal radar signatures, while sophisticated electronic countermeasures provide protection against jamming.

The missile is armed with an 18.1-kilogram high-explosive blast fragmentation warhead, designed to effectively neutralize enemy aircraft and drones, utilizing a proximity fuse that activates at the most advantageous moment. Developed as part of Raytheon’s Form, Fit, Function Refresh initiative, the AIM-120C-8 enhances the capabilities of its predecessor, the AIM-120C-7, incorporating significant upgrades to meet the changing requirements of aerial combat.

The C-8 variant includes 15 newly designed circuit cards in its guidance system, boosting processing capabilities and allowing for ongoing software enhancements to address new threats. In comparison to the C-7, the C-8 boasts a 50 percent increase in range, primarily due to an upgraded rocket motor and a more efficient flight trajectory supported by its GPS-assisted navigation system.

The missile’s high-angle off-boresight capability enables it to engage targets at extreme angles, providing pilots with increased maneuverability in dogfights. These improvements position the AIM-120C-8 as a powerful asset against sophisticated opponents, including those utilizing advanced electronic warfare technologies. Additionally, the missile’s design emphasizes compatibility with a broad spectrum of fighter jets, ensuring smooth integration across various air forces.

Since its launch in the early 1990s, the AMRAAM missile family has been acquired by 42 nations, achieving over 4,900 test firings and securing 13 confirmed air-to-air victories, which underscores its reliability and effectiveness in combat. The operational history of the AMRAAM series provides a solid basis for assessing its significance to Saudi Arabia.

Initially deployed by the U.S. Air Force in 1991, the missile has participated in various conflicts, including the Gulf War, where it recorded its first combat successes against Iraqi aircraft. In 2015, a Turkish F-16 utilized an AMRAAM to shoot down a Russian Su-24M in Syria, demonstrating its accuracy in critical engagements.

During the Yemen conflict, Saudi Arabia utilized earlier AMRAAM models, such as the AIM-120C-7, to intercept Houthi drones and missiles, thereby safeguarding vital infrastructure and civilian areas. The missile’s capability to target both manned and unmanned threats has established it as a flexible asset for contemporary air forces. In 2019, Pakistan’s air force reportedly deployed AIM-120C-5 missiles in a confrontation with India, successfully downing an Indian MiG-21, although claims of further kills remain unverified.

These instances illustrate AMRAAM’s established performance across various combat situations, from conventional dogfights to counter-drone missions. For Saudi Arabia, the AIM-120C-8 presents an enhanced capability to counter regional threats, including possible clashes with Iranian forces or their affiliates. The Royal Saudi Air Force, one of the largest and most sophisticated in the Middle East, is well-equipped to incorporate the AIM-120C-8 into its arsenal. The air force operates a combination of American and European fighter aircraft, with the Boeing F-15C/D Eagle and its upgraded version, the F-15SA, serving as the primary platforms for the AMRAAM.

The F-15SA, featuring the AN/APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned array radar, excels in target detection and tracking, thereby enhancing the missile’s long-range capabilities. Its sophisticated avionics and data link systems facilitate effective communication with the AIM-120C-8, empowering pilots to engage targets beyond visual range with confidence.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia operates the Eurofighter Typhoon, a multirole fighter developed by a European consortium. The Typhoon’s CAPTOR-E radar, which is currently being upgraded to an active electronically scanned array configuration, improves its compatibility with the AIM-120C-8, allowing for accurate engagements in contested environments. The integration of these missiles with Saudi Arabia’s E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft further boosts their effectiveness, as the AWACS platforms deliver real-time situational awareness and target data to guide the missiles.

Although Saudi Arabia does not currently possess the F-35 Lightning II, the AIM-120C-8’s design for compatibility with the F-35 indicates potential future applications should the kingdom acquire the stealth fighter. The procurement of 1,000 AIM-120C-8 missiles significantly strengthens Saudi Arabia’s aerial combat capabilities, serving as a formidable deterrent against regional threats. The kingdom’s F-15 and Typhoon fleets, already outfitted with earlier AMRAAM variants, will gain from the C-8’s extended range and enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures, enabling pilots to confront threats from greater distances and in adverse conditions.

These missiles are particularly effective against Iran’s air force, which includes aging yet capable platforms like the F-14 Tomcat and MiG-29, alongside newer systems obtained through regional partnerships. The AIM-120C-8’s proficiency in neutralizing drones and cruise missiles, as evidenced in Saudi operations against Houthi threats, addresses a rising concern in the region, where unmanned systems have become prevalent in asymmetric warfare.

By enhancing its missile arsenal, Saudi Arabia improves its capacity to safeguard vital infrastructure, including oil facilities and urban areas, which have faced missile and drone strikes in recent years. This agreement also promotes interoperability with U.S. and allied forces, enabling collaborative operations and solidifying the kingdom’s position as a crucial partner in regional security. Beyond its technical and operational aspects, the sale illustrates the wider geopolitical trends influencing the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia’s defense strategy has historically depended on American military assistance, with the United States being its main provider of advanced weaponry. The $3.5 billion agreement, while significant, aligns with earlier AMRAAM transactions with the kingdom, such as a $650 million deal in 2021 for 280 AIM-120C-7/C-8 missiles.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, that previous sale was intended to replenish Saudi Arabia’s missile inventory to address cross-border threats, particularly from Houthi forces in Yemen. The current agreement, which is considerably larger, highlights the kingdom’s dedication to preserving a qualitative advantage in air power amidst ongoing tensions with Iran and its affiliates. Iran’s advancement of sophisticated drones and ballistic missiles, along with its backing of groups like the Houthis, has intensified Saudi Arabia’s security apprehensions, leading to investments in state-of-the-art defense technologies.

The AIM-120C-8’s capability to tackle a diverse array of threats corresponds with these objectives, providing a flexible solution to both conventional and asymmetric challenges. The introduction of Chinese military equipment in Saudi Arabia complicates the situation further. In recent years, the kingdom has broadened its defense procurement, acquiring systems such as the Chinese HQ-9 air defense system and CH-4B armed drones.

The integration of American and Chinese systems presents significant technical hurdles, as their data connections and communication protocols may not align, which could hinder their effectiveness in collaborative operations. From a diplomatic standpoint, the presence of these systems could put a strain on U.S.-Saudi relations, given that Washington closely monitors technology transfers and intelligence-sharing with Beijing.

Nevertheless, the magnitude of the AIM-120C-8 sale indicates that Saudi Arabia is firmly dedicated to its alliance with the United States, considering American technology vital to its fundamental defense capabilities. The kingdom’s acquisition strategy seems to emphasize adaptability, utilizing Chinese systems for specific functions while depending on U.S. platforms for advanced air combat.

The State Department’s approval of the deal initiates a complex process, as Congress must evaluate and possibly modify the terms before the sale is finalized. Legislators may examine the transaction’s implications for regional stability, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Yemen and concerns regarding arms proliferation in the Middle East.

The projected cost of $3.5 billion, while considerable, is a maximum estimate, and the final amount may be reduced based on negotiations and budgetary limitations. RTX Corporation, previously known as Raytheon, will be instrumental in supplying the missiles and related services, leveraging its extensive experience in producing the AMRAAM series.

The company’s Tucson facility has been a center for missile development, with recent contracts including a $1.15 billion award in 2023 for AIM-120D-3 and C-8 production. The sale also encompasses logistical support, spare parts, and training, ensuring that Saudi Arabia can effectively sustain and operate the missiles throughout their lifecycle. These services are crucial for optimizing the system’s readiness, particularly in a region where swift responses to threats are vital.

The AMRAAM has historically served as a fundamental component of U.S. and allied air forces, evolving since its initial deployment in the 1990s to adapt to the requirements of contemporary warfare. Its success has prompted competitors to create alternative systems, including Russia’s R-77 and China’s PL-15, both of which provide similar range and guidance features. Notably, the PL-15 has influenced enhancements in the AMRAAM series, leading to the development of the AIM-120D-3 and C-8 variants that incorporate improvements to compete with its capabilities.

Although the PL-15’s estimated range of 200-300 kilometers surpasses that of the AIM-120C-8, the latter benefits from advanced sensors and electronic countermeasures that offer a qualitative advantage in contested scenarios. These comparisons illustrate the global competition to create next-generation air-to-air missiles, with the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, currently under development, expected to succeed the AMRAAM by the late 2020s. For Saudi Arabia, the AIM-120C-8 serves as a transitional solution to future technologies, ensuring its air force remains competitive until newer systems are introduced. The sale of AIM-120C-8 missiles to Saudi Arabia underscores the enduring U.S.-Saudi defense alliance and reflects the kingdom’s strategic considerations in a volatile region.

By equipping its air force with one of the most advanced air-to-air missiles globally, Saudi Arabia strengthens its capacity to deter threats and safeguard its national interests. The emphasis on interoperability highlights the significance of joint operations with U.S. and allied forces, a crucial element in sustaining regional stability.

However, the integration of Chinese systems raises concerns regarding the kingdom’s long-term defense strategy and its ability to navigate competing partnerships. As Congress evaluates the sale, the wider implications for security in the Middle East will become increasingly apparent.