US State Department approves Turkish purchase of AMRAAMs and Sidewinders
Peter Felstead
The US State Department has approved possible Foreign Military Sales to Turkey of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II short-range air-to-air missiles, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 14 May 2025.
The potential FMSs, which are worth USD 225 million (EUR 199 million) and USD 79.1 million respectively. Have been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Turkey has requested to buy 53 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs, as well as six AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections, and 60 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles, along with 11 AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units.
Both FMS packages include various non-Major Defense Equipment items along with spare parts and various aspects of engineering, technical, logistics and programme support.
The DSCA stated that the proposed FMSs “will provide Türkiye with a critical air defense capability to assist in defending its homeland and US personnel stationed there”.
The Turkish Air Force’s combat fleet currently consists of around F-16C/Ds, which are being upgraded locally, while in November 2024 40 new F-16Vs were ordered via the FMS regime. A small number of F-4E Phantom IIs are also still in service.
Turkey was ejected from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme in 2019 over its purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems, but has meanwhile pursued an indigenous fifth-generation fighter programme; the TAI Kaan completed its maiden flight on 21 February 2024.
The principal contractor for both Turkish FMS missile cases will be RTX Corporation out of its facilities in Tucson, Arizona.
