The United States has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands for up to 226 AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and associated equipment.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the approval on December 6, 2024, with an estimated total value of up to $807 million.
The sale includes up to five AIM-120D3 AMRAAM guidance sections, one AIM-120 AMRAAM Integrated Test Vehicle, missile control sections, missile containers, KGV-135A encryption devices, and classified software support, among other elements. According to the official notice, the sale also covers “spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; weapons system support and software; classified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; studies and surveys; [and] U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services.”
The State Department explained that the sale would “support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the deal, the notice stated: “The proposed sale will improve the Netherland’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing advanced all-weather, beyond-visual-range, air-to-air defense to protect Dutch and Allied forces in transition or combat and significantly improve the Dutch contribution to NATO requirements.”
The Netherlands, which already operates AMRAAM systems, is expected to integrate the new missiles smoothly into its armed forces. The principal contractor for the sale will be RTX Corporation, based in Tucson, Arizona. Offset agreements are anticipated, but the specifics will be determined through negotiations between the contractor and the purchaser.
The DSCA also reassured that “the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region” and confirmed that no additional U.S. personnel or contractors would be required in the Netherlands as part of the deal.
