Belgium will provide $380 million to buy upgraded AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters

The U.S. State Department has approved Belgium's request to purchase AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).

Here's What We Know

The estimated value of the contract is $380 million. But the State Department's approval of the deal does not mean it will be finalized. In addition, both the format of the agreement and the final contract amount may eventually be changed.

The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a medium-range air-to-air guided missile developed by Raytheon. Belgium wants to buy 120 rockets for the fourth generation fighters F-16 Fighting Falcon and fifth generation F-35 Lightning II.

At that the question is about the modernization of AIM-120C-8, it's also AIM-120D. The missile is a joint project of the Air Force and Navy of the United States. It has improved inertial navigation with GPS correction and two-way communication system. The deal will also include the purchase of 10 AMRAAM C-8 guidance sections, spare parts, consumables, training missiles, software and additional equipment.

Source: Defense Brief