Armed Forces
Hundreds of AMRAAM Missiles for the Polish Air Force
The Armament Agency has signed a contract for „several hundred” AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, Deputy Minister Pawel Bejda announced on his account on the X portal.
In a later communiqué, the Armament Agency clarified that the contract is worth $850 million and deliveries are scheduled for 2029-2033.
Kolejne efektory dla 🇵🇱 Sił Powietrznych! Dziś @AgencjaUzbr podpisała umowę na zakup kilkuset kierowanych rakiet klasy powietrze-powietrze AIM-120C #AMRAAM. Odpowiedni zapas lotniczych środków bojowych jest wymogiem do utrzymania bezpieczeństwa naszej przestrzeni powietrznej. pic.twitter.com/rO1ImKYrVM
— Paweł Bejda (@pawelbejda) August 9, 2024
On 12 March 2024, the US State Department approved the possibility of selling AMRAAM missiles with associated packages to Poland for up to $1.69bn. The maximum package allowed for the purchase of up to 745 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 50 LAU-129 armament rails (to carry AMRAAMs but also AIM-9X Sidewinder, in Poland they can be used for F-16s); 16 guidance sections for AMRAAM missiles, spare parts and technical support.
AMRAAM missiles are medium-range missiles that allow firing in »fire and forget« mode. This means that an aircraft armed with it, after detecting the target and firing the missile, can, for example, make a 180-degree turn and begin to move away from the enemy, preventing it from attacking. The AIM-120 can be used as an armament for both the F-16 and the latest F-35A aircraft. Poland will soon have at least 80 of both (48+32 respectively). In the future, the FA-50PL may also be integrated with the AMRAAM (36 have been purchased).