Latest news with #AIM-120C-8
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US approves $304Mn missile deal with Turkey, Why Trump's move to sell AMRAAM to Istanbul alarms India - The Economic Times Video
The US has approved a potential $304M missile sale to Turkey, including 53 AIM-120C-8 and 60 Block II missiles. The deal still needs Congress approval. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Turkey coincides with the announcement, signaling NATO efforts to reset strained ties. RTX Corp will supply missiles and systems. India, alarmed by AMRAAM use by Pakistan, is watching closely. The sale is aimed at strengthening Turkish and US military cooperation.
United News of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
US approves 225 mln Dollar Foreign Military Sale to Turkiye for advanced missiles
Washington, May 15 (UNI) The United States has approved a 225 million Dollar Foreign Military Sale to Turkiye for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). "The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkiye of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of USD 225 million,'' the State Department announced Thursday. In a statement the State Department said the proposed sale will ''support the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that continues to be a force for political and economic stability in Europe." "This proposed sale will provide Turkiye with a critical air defence capability to assist in defending its homeland and US personnel stationed there. Turkiye will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it added. UNI RB GNK
The Print
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
US okays $304 mn missile sale to Turkey. Most advanced AMRAAM variant, short-range missile on offer
Under the proposed deal, the first package, valued at approximately $225 million, includes 53 AIM-120C-8 missiles and six guidance sections, along with support equipment, containers, Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE), spare parts, classified software, and technical documentation. In a statement Wednesday, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed that the required certification had been submitted to the US Congress, formally initiating the process. New Delhi: The United States has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Turkey for the AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) along with AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles, in a deal valued at an estimated $304 million. The announcement comes at a time of heightened concern in India over Turkey's expanding military cooperation with Pakistan. On the same day, the US state department also approved a separate sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles to Turkey, valued at $79.1 million. This deal includes 60 all-up-round missiles and 11 tactical guidance units, as well as associated support items. In reference to the sale, the US described Turkey as a NATO ally and 'a force for political and economic stability in Europe'. The DSCA said the proposed transfer would enhance Turkey's air defence capabilities and help protect both its own territory and US personnel stationed there. The principal contractor for the sale is RTX Corporation, formerly Raytheon Technologies, based in Tucson, Arizona. No offset agreements have been proposed in the current package. The AIM-120C-8 is the most advanced variant in the AMRAAM family and is built for beyond-visual-range engagements. It is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor that propels it to speeds exceeding Mach 4 (roughly 4,900 km) per hour, and it can strike targets at ranges of up to 180 km, significantly surpassing earlier models. Its advanced guidance system combines active radar, inertial navigation, and GPS corrections, making it a formidable fire-and-forget weapon. Compatible with a wide range of platforms, including the US-made F-15, F-16, F-22, and F-35 fighter jets, it represents a substantial upgrade in Turkey's air-to-air missile inventory. Turkey operates the second-largest fleet of F-16s in NATO, with approximately 270 F-16 C/D fighter aircraft, making it a strategic fit for this system. On the other hand, the AIM-9X is a short-range, infrared-guided missile with a range up to 18 km. It is designed for high agility and off-boresight targeting, ideal for close-combat scenarios—complementing the AMRAAM capabilities. Also Read: Controversial Pakistani firm BSI removed as partner from US satellite company's website Amid Indian concerns The announcement follows a flare-up between India and Pakistan last week, with India saying Pakistan used '300-400' Turkish drones to infiltrate Indian air space. Preliminary forensic assessments suggest the drones were Songar models produced by Turkish defence firm Asisguard. Officials confirmed that wreckage from the downed drones was undergoing further investigation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it had taken note of both, the diplomatic and military support, Turkey provided to Pakistan in the lead-up to and during Operation Sindoor. Tensions were further inflamed when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his support for Pakistan Wednesday. He lauded Pakistan's 'patient, sensible and moderate attitude'. 'We openly declared our support for the brotherly people of Pakistan while also making intense efforts to de-escalate tensions that had reached dangerous levels,' Turkish media quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to operate older AIM-120C-5 missiles, also supplied by the US, with an estimated range of 100 km. This AMRAAM was used by Pakistan in retaliation to India's 2019 air strikes on terrorist training camps in Balakot, and is compatible with its F-16 fleet. In addition, Pakistan is reportedly collaborating with China to develop next-generation beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs). Pakistan used the Chinese-origin PL-15 BVRAAM in its attack following Operation Sindoor. At a press briefing Monday, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, director general air operations of the IAF, said that the missile missed its target, presenting visuals of the wreckage. 'Shown on the screen is a probable enemy PL-15 missile of Chinese origin. This missile has missed its target and you can see pieces that are available with us now.' India has accelerated its own missile development initiatives under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Astra Mk1 BVRAAM, developed by the DRDO's Hyderabad-based laboratory and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited, is capable of engaging targets at speeds up to Mach 1.4 and ranges of up to 110 km. Work is also underway on two advanced variants, the Astra Mk2 and Mk3, that are expected to significantly enhance the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s air combat capabilities. Additionally, India has enhanced its air combat capabilities with the Meteor and MICA missile systems integrated into its Rafale fighter jets. The Meteor, developed by European MBDA, is also a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) that employs a solid-fueled ramjet motor, allowing it to maintain high speeds over extended distances. With an estimated range exceeding 200 km and a substantial no-escape zone of approximately 60 km, the Meteor provides the IAF with a significant advantage in engaging adversaries before they can respond effectively . Complementing the Meteor, the MICA missile system offers versatility with its two variants—the MICA RF, utilising active radar homing, and the MICA IR, employing infrared guidance. Both variants are capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 80 km and are designed for both beyond-visual-range and close-combat scenarios. The MICA's agility is enhanced by its thrust-vectoring motor and its fire-and-forget capability allows pilots to engage multiple targets simultaneously without the need for continuous guidance. (Edited by Sanya Mathur) Also Read: From Pechora to S-400, Russian air defence systems India used to repel Pakistan's aerial incursions
Gulf Insider
07-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Musk, Fink, Zuckerberg Set For Saudi Arabia's 'MAGA In The Desert'
Some of the United States' most powerful business leaders will descend on Riyadh for the Saudi-US Investment Forum – dubbed 'MAGA in the Desert' – to boost investment in America as President Donald Trump prepares for a highly anticipated visit next week to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to deepen ties with key regional players, according to the New York Post. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink are expected to attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum set to be held on May 13th, sources told the Post. Other corporate leaders slated to attend are OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Palantir CEO Alex Karp, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser. Top Trump administration officials are also said to be attending the forum, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks. 'This is going to be MAGA in the desert. It is ultimately about creating jobs in the US,' a source said. The Post reports: The corporate shindig will take place a day before Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, also known as 'MBS,' chairs a summit featuring the US and the leaders of the so-called Gulf Cooperation Council: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. The plan for the conference is to ink agreements on everything from defense, AI, tech, and healthcare cooperation worth at least $600 billion—a goal set by MBS on Jan. 23 in Trump's first call with a foreign leader after winning a second term in the White House. The Department of Defense recently announced the State Department's approval of a potential $3.5 billion sale of AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia. The missiles will be assembled by RTX Corporation in Tucson, Arizona. 'This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,' the Pentagon said in a statement. 'The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military balance in the region.' On Tuesday, the Saudi Arabian cabinet announced that the Kingdom will discuss a potential cooperation agreement with the United States in mining and mineral resources, according to a Tuesday statement from the state news agency obtained by Reuters. Trump, while meeting with newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office, teased an announcement potentially connected to the Middle East. 'It'll be one of the most important announcements that has been made in many years about a certain subject,' the president said. Also read: Tabuk Becomes First Saudi City To Launch Electric Buses Under Public Transit Project
Gulf Today
04-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
US gives initial approval for $3.5b missile sale to Saudi Arabia
The United States has given initial approval to sell $3.5 billion worth of air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia's fighter jets, the latest proposed arms deal for the region ahead of President Donald Trump 's planned trip to the region later this month. The sale, announced early on Saturday, likely will be one of several heralded by Trump on his visit to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has already said it wants to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years, likely as a way to woo Trump to again pick the kingdom for his first formal trip as president. Trump travelled to Italy briefly for Pope Francis' funeral. Trump's 2017 trip to Saudi Arabia upended a tradition of modern US presidents typically first heading to Canada, Mexico or the United Kingdom for their first trip abroad. It also underscored his administration's close ties to the Rulers of the Gulf states as his eponymous real estate company has pursued deals across the region. The arms sale involves 1,000 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, guidance sections and other technical support. The missiles will be built by RTX Corp of Tucson, Ariz. The Royal Saudi Air Force has the world's second-largest fleet of F-15 fighter jets after the US. "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,' the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. The proposed sale now goes to the US Congress. Lawmakers typically weigh in on such sales and, in some cases, can block them. Trump maintained close ties to the Gulf states after leaving office. His second administration has already given initial approval for the energy-rich Qatar to buy eight armed MQ-9B Reaper drones for its military, a purchase estimated to be worth nearly $2 billion. Associated Press
