US Approves Sale of AIM-120 and AIM-9 Missiles to Türkiye for Over $300 Million

The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of AIM-120C-8 and AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles to Türkiye.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense announced this decision on May 14.

The total value of the potential sale of aviation missiles and related equipment is estimated at $304.1 million.

According to the official request, Turkey wants to purchase 53 AIM-120C-8 medium-range air-to-air missiles. This potential sale is estimated at approximately 225 million dollars.

The potential sale of 60 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II short-range missiles is preliminarily valued at $79.1 million.

The package also includes: maintenance, software, spare parts, technical documentation, transportation services, as well as engineering and logistical support.

It is noted that this proposed sale will provide Türkiye with critically important air defense capabilities to help protect its territory and the U.S. personnel stationed there. The main contractor will be the American company RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies), based in Tucson, Arizona.

AIM-120 missile

AIM-120 AMRAAM is an American all-weather guided missile developed by the American defense company Raytheon Technologies. The missile was adopted into service with the U.S. Army in 1991. It is the main medium-range missile for American and European fighter jets.

The missile is equipped with an active radar homing system capable of capturing an air target at a distance of at least 20 km.

The AIM-120C-8 is the eighth generation of the American missile in the C version, featuring an improved radar-guided seeker, communication system, data transfer capabilities, and engine. Additionally, the missile’s range has increased by 30%.

Sidewinder

The AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II is the U.S. arsenal’s most advanced short-range air-to-air missile. It features an upgraded warhead and a digital fuze. The missile is structurally designed with fixed forward stabilizers and smaller fins to improve flight performance.

The missile is designed to be installed on a wide range of modern combat aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-22 Raptor, and all F-35 Joint Strike Fighter versions.