Airmen guide an AIM-120 AMRAAM into the weapons bay of an F-35A Lightning II at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 18, 2025. (Reagan Hardy/U.S. Air Force)
The State Department has approved a potential $292 million sale of advanced air-to-air missiles and related equipment to South Korea, the latest in a series of proposed arms deals aimed at strengthening the longtime U.S. ally’s defense capabilities.
The proposed sale includes 70 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMS, two guidance sections and related support equipment, according to a notification sent to Congress on Wednesday.
The deal remains subject to congressional review.
“The proposed sale will improve [South Korea’s] capability to meet current and future threats by expanding its air defense capability, deterring aggression in the region, and ensuring interoperability with U.S. Forces,” the notification states.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile used by U.S. and allied fighter aircraft. It can engage targets more than 20 miles away and uses active radar guidance to track and intercept enemy aircraft, the U.S. Air Force website states.
The missiles’ design allows pilots to launch multiple weapons against various targets while maneuvering away from threats, according to the service.
South Korea requested the missiles along with containers, control sections, support equipment and other related components, the notification states.
RTX Corp., headquartered in Arlington, Va., would serve as the principal contractor.
The announcement comes less than a week after the State Department approved a separate potential $106 million sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, guidance kits and related equipment to South Korea.
