The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Germany of AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment valued at an estimated $1.23 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on September 25.
The proposed package includes up to 400 AIM-120D-3 missiles, 12 guidance sections with precise positioning enabled by either Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code, and one AIM-120 AMRAAM Integrated Test Vehicle. It also covers AMRAAM telemetry kits, control sections, containers, support equipment, adaptor group test sets, encryption devices, spare parts, and training support. Engineering, technical, and logistics services are included in the offer as well.
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 advanced AIM-120D-3 missiles are expected to enhance Germany’s air-to-air capabilities, particularly in support of its F-35 program, and contribute to joint NATO operational readiness and training. The new weapons will provide a modernized layer of air defense as Berlin prepares to replace its aging Panavia Tornado fleet.
Germany’s planned integration of the AIM-120D-3 into its future fighter fleet reflects a broader modernization strategy that includes acquiring 35 F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
The DSCA noted that the proposed sale “will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing increased air-to-air capability for the German F-35 program and supporting German and shared NATO planning, training, and operational requirements.” The agency also emphasized that the transaction “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
RTX Corporation, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, will serve as the principal contractor for the program. The U.S. government has not been informed of any offset agreements related to the sale, though such terms could emerge during negotiations between Germany and RTX.
Germany’s F-35 procurement was finalized in December 2022 under the Foreign Military Sales program. Construction of its first F-35A, designated MG-01, began in the United States on December 6, 2024.