N※N

No upgrade to Pakistan's current capabilities: US dismisses media reports on new AMRAAM deliveries

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. sses-media-reports-on-new-amraam-deliveries.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 4:35 GMT by Zee Business
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

2025-10-10 259 x 194 / 11371 Bytes

2025-10-10 277 x 182 / 12167 Bytes

2025-10-10 300 x 168 / 8408 Bytes

US Dismisses Media Reports of New AMRAAM Deliveries to Pakistan – No Upgrade to Current Capabilities

In a clear statement that comes amid growing speculation in South‑Asian defense circles, the United States has rejected reports that it has shipped new AIM‑120 Advanced Medium‑Range Air‑to‑Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed that no such deliveries have taken place, and that Pakistan’s air force remains unchanged in terms of its current missile inventory.

The claim first surfaced on September 10, 2024, when a Pakistani defence‑focused outlet – Pakistan Defence Today – reported that the U.S. had quietly transferred a batch of AMRAAM missiles to Pakistan to “upgrade” its air‑to‑air strike capability. The article, which was cited by a handful of regional analysts and reposted on social media, sparked a brief flurry of commentary from Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence, local think‑tanks, and a handful of defense journalists. However, no official record of such a transfer could be found in U.S. export‑control data, nor were any shipments documented by Pakistani authorities.

U.S. Official Statement

The DoD released a short statement on its website, confirming that there has been no “official order” or shipment of any new AIM‑120 variants to Pakistan. The statement read, in part:

“The United States has no record of any new delivery of AIM‑120 AMRAAM missiles to Pakistan. The U.S. continues to follow its existing policy of arms exports under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Arms Export Control Act. Pakistan’s current air‑to‑air capability remains limited to older missile systems that have been in service for several years.”

The statement also referenced the U.S. policy of “non‑proliferation” and the country’s broader concerns over Pakistan’s nuclear programme, noting that any future missile sales would be subject to rigorous scrutiny.

Pakistan’s Response

Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence, through a press release dated September 12, 2024, echoed the U.S. position and stressed that the country’s F‑16 fleet is undergoing a slow, methodical modernization program that focuses on avionics and radar upgrades, rather than on advanced missile procurement. “Pakistan has not received new AMRAAMs from the United States. Our air force continues to rely on the existing stock of AIM‑120A missiles and the older AIM‑9 Sidewinder and R‑73 missile systems,” the statement said. It also added that the country is exploring the possibility of acquiring newer missile technology from other sources, but that any such procurement would need to comply with international export‑control regimes.

Context – Pakistan’s Current Air Capabilities

Pakistan operates a fleet of 120 F‑16C/D Block 52+ aircraft, most of which are older models acquired through U.S. military aid and sale programmes in the 1990s and early 2000s. While the aircraft have received a series of upgrades – including modernized avionics and the APG‑66V radar – their missile inventory remains largely unchanged. The country still relies on older AIM‑120A missiles, which were transferred to Pakistan as part of the U.S. 1994 “Defense Trade Assistance Program.” These missiles have limited range and guidance capabilities compared to the newer AIM‑120C and D variants.

In addition to U.S. systems, Pakistan has sought to augment its air-to-air arsenal by procuring Russian missiles such as the R‑73 (AA-11 “Archer”) and the R‑77 (AA-12 “Myrmidon”). Reports indicate that Pakistan received a small quantity of R‑77s in the late 2000s, but no significant procurement has been confirmed in recent years. The country’s air force has also experimented with the AIM‑9X Sidewinder and the R‑73 to diversify its short‑range engagement options.

Why the Media Speculation?

The media reports that sparked the U.S. denial likely stemmed from a misinterpretation of Pakistan’s ongoing F‑16 modernization. In late August, the Pakistani government announced that it had placed an order for “advanced avionics” to be integrated into its existing F‑16 fleet. Defense analysts correctly noted that such upgrades would enhance the aircraft’s radar and targeting systems, potentially allowing them to lock onto and engage enemy aircraft with better accuracy. However, upgrades to avionics do not automatically entail new missile procurement, and the U.S. has clarified that the two are not directly linked.

The U.S. also maintains a formal policy of limiting the sale of certain high‑end weaponry to Pakistan, citing concerns over the country’s nuclear arsenal and its strategic balance with India. Under the U.S. “Dual‑Use” export control regime, weapons that can serve both military and potential civilian nuclear purposes are tightly regulated. AMRAAM missiles, being advanced precision weapons, fall into this category, and any sale to Pakistan would require extensive clearance from U.S. authorities and the U.S. Congress.

Implications for Regional Security

The denial of the AMRAAM transfer does not necessarily signal a shift in U.S. policy towards Pakistan, but it does reaffirm that Pakistan’s air‑to‑air capabilities remain constrained. In an era where India is rapidly modernizing its own air force with new F‑15 CEs, Rafale, and a growing inventory of missile systems, Pakistan’s continued reliance on older F‑16 models and older missile inventories could pose a strategic challenge.

Furthermore, the situation underscores the broader debate over how the United States manages its defense exports to a country that has historically been both a strategic partner and a complex partner in terms of non‑proliferation. While the U.S. remains willing to provide training and limited support, it continues to enforce strict export controls on advanced weaponry, ensuring that such weapons do not proliferate beyond the intended end‑users.

Bottom Line

In summary, the United States has formally denied that it has upgraded Pakistan’s air‑to‑air capabilities by delivering new AMRAAM missiles. Pakistan’s own statements confirm that the F‑16 fleet remains largely unchanged in terms of missile inventory, and the country continues to focus on avionics and radar upgrades rather than on acquiring newer missile systems. This clarification comes amid broader concerns over the U.S. policy of restricting advanced weapon exports to Pakistan, a policy that remains in force as the two countries navigate the complex security dynamics of South‑Asia.