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US Raytheon to Manufacture AIM-120 Missiles for Ukraine and Other Allies
Raytheon, the American defense giant, has secured a massive contract worth up to $3.5 billion to manufacture AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for both the US and international clients, including Ukraine. The contract, announced on July 31, marks a significant step in strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities amid ongoing defense challenges posed by the Russian invasion.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is a critical missile for modern fighter jets, including the F-16s that are now being used extensively by Ukraine to counter Russian missile and drone attacks, US Department of Defense reported on their website.
Raytheon’s contract includes missile deliveries to several countries, with Ukraine and the US set to receive significant portions. Other nations benefiting from this deal include Denmark, Belgium, Japan, the Netherlands, Canada, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, Israel, and Kuwait. The deliveries are expected to be completed by the third quarter of the US fiscal year 2031.
The contract follows an earlier agreement in September of the previous year, which saw the US Department of Defense awarding Raytheon nearly $1.2 billion to supply AMRAAM missiles to Ukraine and other allied nations. These missiles are also integral to the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) that Ukraine uses to defend its airspace.
In addition to fighter jets, the AIM-120 is deployed as the primary missile for NASAMS systems, enhancing both the range and the accuracy of Ukraine’s air defense network. Raytheon recently doubled its production of AIM-120 missiles, increasing its annual output to 1,200 missiles across various modifications, thus accelerating the fulfillment of this contract, US Department of Defense states.
The US State Department also recently approved a sale of 400 AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM missiles to Poland, further indicating the growing demand for these advanced defense systems.
Previously, it was also reported that the European missile manufacturer MBDA has accelerated production of its Aster family of surface-to-air missiles, reaching a fivefold increase in output for 2025 compared to earlier projections.
