US Approves Possible $125 Million Sale of AIM-9X Missiles to South Korea

The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles to South Korea.

The information was published by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The estimated value of the potential deal is $125 million.

The package includes 103 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles and 10 guidance units. The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation.

In addition to the missiles and guidance units, the package includes active optical target detectors, training equipment, spare parts, weapon system support equipment, as well as engineering, technical, and logistics support from the U.S. government and contractor.

South Korea has a long history of operating the AIM-9X, which began in 2011. At the time, South Korea and Saudi Arabia became among the first foreign customers for the AIM-9X for their F-15K Slam Eagle fighter jets.

South Korean F-15Ks were equipped from the outset with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, allowing pilots to cue missiles toward targets by turning their heads.

The AIM-9X was later integrated onto other South Korean Air Force combat aircraft. As of 2023, the missile was in service with the F-15K, KF-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35A Lightning II.

At the same time, for its new KF-21 Boramae fighter, South Korea selected the German-made IRIS-T missile. In the future, it could become one of the main short-range air combat weapons of South Korean military aviation.

AIM-9X Sidewinder

The AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II is a short-range air-to-air guided missile equipped with an infrared homing seeker. It was developed by Raytheon, which is now part of RTX.

The missile is 3 meters long, has a diameter of 0.13 meters, a wingspan of 0.35 meters, and a control surface span of 0.45 meters. Its launch weight is 85.3 kg, including a 9.4 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

The solid-fuel ATK MK-139 rocket motor accelerates the missile to approximately Mach 2.5, or about 3,060 km/h. Its stated engagement range is up to 35 km.

The missile is equipped with a 128×128-pixel infrared imaging sensor, providing resistance to thermal countermeasures and electronic warfare. The AIM-9X Block II also supports lock-on-after-launch and features a two-way data link with the launch aircraft.

These capabilities expand the missile’s operational flexibility and allow it to engage targets beyond the pilot’s direct line of sight.