US State Department approves possible AMRAAM sale for Lithuanian NASAMS

The US State Department has approved the possible FMS of 36 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and related equipment for Lithuanian NASAMS, pictured during its first live firing during Exercise ‘Silver Arrow 2023' in Norway. (Norwegian Armed Forces)

The US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and related equipment worth USD100 million for the Lithuanian National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in a press release on 23 October.

The agency said Lithuania has requested 36 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs; one AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance section; Common Munitions Built-In-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); ADU-891/E adapter group computer test sets; AIM-120 spare control sections and containers; other spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair/return support; munitions support and support equipment; classified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; contractor logistics support; personnel training and training equipment; studies and surveys; transportation support; US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.

The DSCA said the proposed FMS would improve Lithuania's ability to conduct self-defence and regional security missions while enhancing interoperability with the US and other NATO members.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense.

The Lithuanian Air Force's Air Defence Battalion received NASAMS III in 2020.

The AIM-120C-8 is an ‘export-only' variant of AMRAAM incorporating Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided navigation for mid‐course guidance and active radar guidance in the terminal phase, according to Janes Weapons: Air Launched. It is armed with an improved high-explosive warhead that is detonated by a proximity fuze.