Pakistan’s Quiet Return to the US Defense Fold

Pakistan’s Quiet Return to the US Defense Fold

The United States has signed a $2.5 billion contract with Raytheon for the production of its famous AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles in 2030. It is not a surprise that longtime allies like Japan or Australia are on the list, but this time, Pakistan and Türkiye have also been included in the contract.
Moreover, the AIM-120C-8, one of the most advanced variants, is in question. It has got longer reach, smarter guidance, and better resistance to jamming. In plain terms, it can spot and strike targets farther away, even in messy electronic conditions. Besides, production will happen at Raytheon’s plant in Tucson, with deliveries spread out over the next few years.

Why It Matters for Pakistan?

For Pakistan, this is not just about adding new missiles. But it is about rebuilding credibility and capability. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has relied heavily on its fleet of F-16s, many of which were supplied by the United States decades ago. They are still among the most capable jets in the region, but until now, the PAF’s missile inventory was starting to lag India’s more modern acquisitions, like the Meteor missiles carried by the Rafales.
Moving forward, with the AIM-120C-8, Pakistan can once again engage enemy aircraft well beyond visual range that matters a lot in air-to-air combat. There is also quiet talk that the missile could eventually be integrated with the JF-17 Block III, the joint Pakistan China fighter. However, it is not confirmed. But if this happens, it will give Pakistan the rare ability to mix Chinese platforms with Western weapons, which most countries cannot do easily.

A Subtle Thaw in Pakistan US Relations

Moreover, the interesting thing here is not just the hardware, but the politics behind it. Washington and Islamabad had a complicated past decade. Besides, after the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan, relations between them got cooled. Security cooperation shrank, and Pakistan leaned more toward China for defense technology.
In contemporary time, there has been slow and careful re engagement between Pakistan and the United States. In 2022, the United States approved a $450 million sustainment package to support Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. That move annoyed India but hinted that Washington was not ready to completely walk away from Pakistan.

This new inclusion in the AMRAAM contract feels like small and measured, but meaningful step in the same direction.

Practically, the United States wants Pakistan’s air force to be modernized. This helps maintain a balance of powers in South Asia. A completely one sided equation would make the region less stable, not more. However, nobody is pretending that Islamabad and Washington are back to being close allies, but the defense relationship seems to be moving from “dormant” to “functional”.

More than Just Missiles

Furthermore, the missiles in the defense agreement are more than firepower. They bring Pakistan’s systems a little closer to Western defense standards again. This means better compatibility with allied radar systems, shared training exercises, and modern operational procedures. It also shows that Pakistan is still playing a balancing game. This includes deepening ties with China on one hand, while keeping a window open to the West on the other. That kind of dual alignment is not easy to manage, but it has been Pakistan’s way of keeping options open for friendly diplomacy.

Besides, advanced ammunitions like the AIM-120C-8 make a real difference in how the PAF fights. Air battles today are not about who can dogfight better, but they are about who sees whom first and who can fire from farther away.

 Thus, the AMRAAM gives Pakistan’s pilots a better chance of surviving and winning such engagements.

Regional Reactions and Ripple Effects

In South Asia’s tense airspace, any shift in capability gets noticed fast. India’s air force has been modernizing aggressively, and the Rafale Meteor combo gave it a big advantage in beyond visual range combat. Pakistan’s new missiles do not erase that edge completely, but they close the gap enough to restore deterrence. This does not mean an arms race is starting, but both sides have been in one battle for years. Hence, it means that Pakistan would not fall too far behind.

A Hint of What is next

Additionally, Raytheon’s Tucson plant will keep producing AMRAAMs for the United States throughout 2030, and Pakistan’s share will probably arrive in different phases, before the decade ends. If this cooperation keeps growing, one might see more United States’ support packages tied to training, maintenance, and software upgrades. On one hand, for Pakistan, this is the good news, not only a dramatic reset, but it is a step back into a network it drifted away from. On the other, for the United States, it is a reminder that even in a world of shifting alliances, old defense ties rarely disappear, but they can go quiet for a while.
So, Pakistan’s inclusion in the AMRAAM missile program is not just another line in a defense contract. But it is a small sign that both countries still see value working together, even if cautiously. Resultantly, for the Pakistan Air Force, it is a clear message that they are getting back in the game with better tools, better range, and a bit more confidence in the skies.