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4 clusters · 16 sources · 8 days · First seen · Last updated

Australia procurement of AIM-260 missiles

Overview

Australia has entered an agreement to become the first international customer for the American AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). The contract, valued at approximately A$736 million (US$518 million), involves the purchase of up to 450 missiles to modernize the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fleet.

In August 2026, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced at the Pitch Black exercise in Darwin that the RAAF will acquire the Lockheed Martin-developed, classified weapon to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM and counter long-range adversary missiles. This procurement is part of a U.S. Foreign Military Sales package that includes equipment, training, and logistics valued at over US$3 billion.

The missiles will undergo a staged integration process, beginning with F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, followed by F-35A Lightning II and EA-18G Growler aircraft. Future integration may also include the MQ-28 Ghost Bat. While exact specifications remain classified, the missile is known to utilize GPS navigation with military M-Code to provide greater range and effectiveness than current systems. Deliveries are anticipated to begin in the third quarter of 2033.

This acquisition is viewed as a strategic move to maintain air superiority in the Indo-Pacific region.

Entities

Lockheed Martin · Australia · United States · Richard Marles · AIM‑260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile

Timeline

  1. 29 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Australia to acquire US AIM-260 JATM missile and test domestic rocket motor

    Australia will become the first international user of the US-made AIM-260 JATM missile, integrating it into its F/A-18F, F-35A, and EA-18G fleets while developing domestic rocket motor capabilities.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Australia expands defense capabilities with AIM-260A missile and major UK radar deal

    Australia is set to acquire the classified AIM-260A missile and is nearing a $10 billion defense export deal with the UK for advanced CEA Technologies radar systems.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Boeing begins JDAM Long Range production as Australia orders AIM-260 missiles

    Boeing begins production of JDAM Long Range kits for standoff strikes, while Australia orders American AIM-260 air-to-air missiles to modernize its air force.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    Australia secures $736 million AIM‑260 missile deal

    Australia will buy up to 450 AIM‑260 missiles for about A$736 million, becoming the first non‑US operator, with integration onto RAAF fighters and deliveries from 2033.

Sources

armees.com · caithness-business.co.uk · contactairlandandsea.com · defence24.pl · eurasiantimes.com · finance.technews.tw · konflikty.pl · list25.com · news.az · newscentral.africa · sofx.com · soha.vn · spidersweb.pl · sputniknews.cn · watoday.com.au · world-today-news.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history