The US Department of Defense has ordered AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for Ukraine, but of other modifications. They are capable of covering distances of 160-180 kilometers and will be able to engage Russian aircraft without entering the enemy’s air defense zone.
Source: Yuri Ignat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force.
Why are AMRAAM missiles crucial for the Ukrainian counteroffensive?
The military explained that AMRAAM is an air-to-air missile class, which is one of the most widely used in NATO countries’ aviation. The munitions come in various modifications, notably differing in their engagement range.
“These missiles are consistently supplied to the NASAMS air defense systems, which also use the AIM-120 missile. From the very beginning, when the attack on our critical infrastructure began (last autumn), these missiles have been used with NASAMS,” said the representative of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Ignat informed that AMRAAM missiles can cover a greater distance when launched from an airborne platform. However, when launched from a ground-based installation, the missile’s engagement range is not as high. According to the Air Force spokesperson, AIM-120 missiles are capable of destroying all types of aerial targets except for ballistic ones.
“To protect the country from drone and missile terrorism, we can rely on these missiles, which are capable of targeting aerial threats,” said the military. However, he noted that these missiles are not cheap, so it would be more cost-effective to eliminate drones with less expensive means.
“But there is no choice – we must destroy everything that flies to defend the country from within,” Ignat concluded.
The Pentagon has ordered AMRAAM missiles for Ukraine
The American company Raytheon Missiles and Defense (located in Arizona) will procure advanced AMRAAM missiles from various sources for a total of $192 million. Delivery dates and the quantity of missiles planned for purchase are not disclosed. It is noted that this is planned to be completed by November 29, 2024. Funds for the missile purchase are allocated from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative fund.