[REVISION HISTORY]
Australia procurement of AIM-260 missiles
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2026-08-13 03:17 UTC → 2026-08-16 09:29 UTC ·
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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 an a staged integration process starting process, beginning with F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, with subsequent plans to equip 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 procurement follows U.S. approval of a larger defense package worth more than US$3 billion. In August 2026, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that Australia will be the first foreign nation to acquire the AIM-260A JATM. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the classified weapon is intended to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM and counter long-range adversary missiles. The acquisition is viewed as a strategic move to maintain air superiority in the Indo-Pacific region.
Versions
- 2026-08-16 09:29 UTC Australia procurement of AIM-260 missiles
- 2026-08-13 03:17 UTC Australia procurement of AIM-260 missiles
- 2026-08-10 09:11 UTC Australia procurement of AIM-260 missiles
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