The United States has approved a possible $570 million foreign military sale to the Netherlands for RTX’s Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). The deal, requested by Amsterdam, covers up to 232 AIM-120C-8 missiles and eight guidance sections, ensuring the Royal Netherlands Air Force maintains a reliable stockpile of modern air-to-air weapons.
Beyond the missiles themselves, the package includes control section spares, captive training rounds, missile containers, spare parts, consumables, and accessories. It also provides repair and return services, personnel training, and logistics support. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale aligns with US foreign policy and national security goals by strengthening a key NATO ally.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a versatile all-weather weapon with beyond-visual-range capability. It can be fired from fighter aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II as well as ground-based platforms like NASAMS, targeting hostile aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and drones. The Netherlands already fields the missile across both systems, making the procurement a natural step to bolster its readiness posture.
This announcement comes as NATO nations increase investments in air defense amid heightened security concerns. Reports of suspected Russian drones violating Polish airspace have amplified the urgency for enhanced defenses. Other allies are following similar paths: Finland has requested AIM-120D-3 AMRAAMs, Norway has sought GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs, and Belgium has asked for AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. Together, these efforts underscore NATO’s drive to reinforce collective deterrence as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues.
