Australia has signed an agreement with the United States to buy up to 400 RTX AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air guided missiles (AMRAAM) in a deal valued at as much as $1.04 billion. The agreement, announced in July 2025 by the Australian Department of Defence, will supply two variants of the AMRAAM to bolster both ground and air elements of the nation’s layered defense architecture.
“This is a major investment in the security of our nation and underscores the Albanese government’s commitment to providing the ADF [Australian Defence Force] with the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe,” Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said.
Under the terms of the Foreign Military Sales agreement, Australia may acquire up to 200 AIM-120C-8 for integration with its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, known as NASAMS, currently entering service with the Australian Army, according to an April 2025 report by the U.S. Defense Department (DOD). The remaining 200 AIM-120D-3 missiles are earmarked for the Royal Australian Air Force’s combat fleet, including Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft.
The AIM-120 family, developed by RTX Corp., can be used in both air-to-air and surface-to-air roles. The C-8 variant offers coverage out to roughly 32 kilometers against aircraft and cruise missiles when deployed in NASAMS, while the D-3 model provides an extended range of about 160 kilometers in air-to-air engagements. More than 40 countries have adopted both versions and integrated them in multiple air and ground platforms.
The missile sale “will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by protecting and increasing aircraft survivability,” according to the DOD, which characterized Australia as “one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific.”