The U.S. State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale to Italy involving advanced air-to-air missile systems worth approximately $211 million, according to a notification issued to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on June 16, 2025.
The request includes thirty AIM-120D-3 and forty AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), along with two AIM-120C-7 guidance sections. Italy, a core NATO ally, will also receive associated equipment, such as control section spares, containers, classified and unclassified software, technical publications, and support services.
According to the DSCA, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
The DSCA said the proposed transfer would enhance Italy’s ability to respond to current and future aerial threats while reinforcing interoperability with U.S. and allied forces. Italy already maintains AMRAAM systems in its inventory, and the agency noted that “Italy will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
The transaction also includes U.S. government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support, but will not require the deployment of additional U.S. personnel in Italy, the notice stated. The primary contractor named for the sale is RTX Corporation, based in Tucson, Arizona.
The agency emphasized that the proposed sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region” and does not negatively impact U.S. defense readiness.
This move comes as NATO continues to bolster collective air defense capabilities in response to evolving aerial threats, particularly in Eastern and Southern Europe. With increasing pressure on allied nations to modernize their arsenals, the U.S. has steadily expanded military sales to regional partners under the Biden administration and now under President Trump.
The DSCA’s congressional notification is required by U.S. law for any major defense equipment sale to foreign nations. Congress retains the authority to block such sales, but objections remain rare for transfers involving NATO member states.