Pentagon orders AMRAAM missiles for Ukraine

The Pentagon press service reports.

"Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $192,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for purchase of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). This contract provides for Raytheon purchasing fielded AMRAAM weapons from various sources. Work is expected to be completed by Nov. 29, 2024," the Pentagon said in a statement.

In particular, it is reported that funds in the amount of $7.7 million will be allocated from the security assistance package for Ukraine for the fiscal year 2023 to implement this contract.

AIM-120 AMRAAM missile

AMRAAM is an American all-weather, medium-range air-to-air guided missile. This class of missiles is designed to engage air targets beyond the line of sight of the target.

The missiles have been developed by Hughes Aircraft since 1981 and were adopted by the US Air Force in 1991. In addition to the United States, it is in service with the air forces of Britain, Germany, and other countries. Today, it is the main weapon of F-15C, F-15E, F-16, F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, and F-22 fighters.

The missile's warhead is integrated into its body. It is equipped with a fragmentation warhead (with ready-made fragments) of directed action weighing 23 kg.

• On August 29, the United States allocated an additional $250 million package of military aid to Ukraine, which included air defense missiles, artillery shells, and Javelins.

• August 31 It is announced that the 15th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense will take place on September 19 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

• August 31 As part of an ongoing dialogue with partners, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi speaks by phone with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.