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US approves possible AIM-120C-8 sale to Singapore

By Akhil Kadidal |

An AIM-120 D-3 AMRAAM at Raytheon's Tucson, Arizona plant. The AIM-120 C-8 is the export version of the AIM-120D and closely resembles this missile. (RTX Corporation)

The US Department of State has made a determination approving a possible sale of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Singapore under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

The proposed sale, which has an estimated value of USD133 million, covers 54 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and two AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement on 9 September.

The AIM-120C-8 is an export-only variant of the AIM-120D missile, albeit with different software. Both variants of the missile were developed under the form, fit, function refresh (F3R) and their first test flight was conducted in September 2023, according to RTX Corporation. The company added on its website that the F3R updates both the missile's hardware and enables Agile software upgrades.

The AIM-120D has an estimated range of 160 km and a maximum speed of Mach 4.

Other non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) included in the proposed sale are AMRAAM control section spares, missile containers, support equipment, Common Munitions Built-In-Test (BIT)/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE), and an ADU-89/E Computer Test Set Adapter Group, according to DSCA.

The other proposed elements include spare parts, consumables and accessories, repair and return support, weapon system support and software, classified software delivery, technical documentation, and training.

“The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Asia,” DSCA said.

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