Raytheon and NATO are pursuing additional European suppliers for components used in the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM. The initiative aims to increase industrial capacity and address growing global demand for the weapon system. The announcement coincided with a signing ceremony held during the NATO Summit, where senior government officials and representatives from participating international partners gathered to mark the development.
Michael Duffey, the US Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, attended the event alongside other officials. He stated that expanding AMRAAM production is critical to addressing the urgent air defense requirements of the United States and its allies. Duffey described the AMRAAM as the world’s most advanced air-to-air missile and emphasized its role in maintaining operational superiority.
He characterized the effort as practical industrial cooperation that converts Allied commitments into tangible warfighting capability, strengthens burden sharing, and ensures the US and its partners can deliver capabilities at the pace required by the current security environment.
The AMRAAM is a dual-role missile designed for both air-to-air and surface-launch missions. It has been integrated into a wide range of fighter aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, Tornado, and Harrier.
The latest version of the missile is operational across all variants of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, making it the only radar-guided air-to-air missile authorized for use on that platform. Raytheon reports that the AMRAAM has been procured by more than 40 countries.