On June 11, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential foreign military sale to Norway, involving advanced AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and associated equipment, valued at an estimated $1.94 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has officially notified Congress of this potential sale.
The Norwegian government has requested 300 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and 20 guidance sections for these missiles. The sale also includes AMRAAM containers, support equipment, spare parts, consumables, accessories, repair and return support, weapons software, classified software delivery, transportation, classified publications, technical documentation, training, studies, and surveys, along with U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, among other program support elements.
The AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM is designed for all-weather, beyond-visual-range aerial combat and is compatible with various U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft such as the F-15, F-16, F-22, and F/A-18. It features a sophisticated guidance system combining active radar terminal guidance with inertial mid-course navigation, enabling pilots to engage multiple targets simultaneously and perform evasive maneuvers. Introduced in 1991, this missile variant is a continuation of the AIM-7 Sparrow series but offers significant enhancements in speed, size, and target engagement capabilities.