Romania to receive newest AIM-120 missiles for its F-16s

The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense reported on this.

The decision provides for the possibility of supplying 186 missiles at an estimated cost of $592 million.

This cost also includes the appropriate equipment to maintain their combat capability, software, and logistics support.

The F-16 fighter jets, which currently form the basis of the Romanian Air Force’s combat aircraft, will be armed with new AIM-120C-8 missiles.

AIM-120 missile

AIM-120 AMRAAM is an American all-weather guided missile developed by the American defense company Raytheon Technologies. The missile was adopted into service with the U.S. Army in 1991.

It is the main medium-range missile for American and European fighter jets.

The missile is equipped with an active radar homing system capable of capturing an air target at a distance of at least 20 km.

The AIM-120C-8 is the eighth generation of the C version missile, with upgrades aimed at improving the radar homing head system, communications and data transmission systems, and the engine. The missile’s launch range has been increased by 30%.

In May of this year, the U.S. Department of State also decided to sell three hundred AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles to Romania.

The proposed sale will improve Romania’s ability to respond to current and future security threats.

As previously reported, Romania received its first F-16 fighter jets under a contract with Norway in November 2023.