AMRAAM Selected as UK Interim BVR Missile

Released on Wednesday, August 11, 2004

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defense has announced that the Raytheon's AIM-120 AMRAAM missile has been selected as the interim beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) for the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The UK MoD signed a $144 million contract for the purchase of AIM-120 C-5 missiles as well as associated equipment and services over the next 10 years. The contract includes option to increase the contract covering a period of 25 years. The AMRAAM is a low risk, low cost, combat proven and currently available interim solution to the BVRAAM program. To date, 28 nations have purchased AMRAAM consolidating as the world's most popular medium range missile.

It is well known that the British armed forces aviation branch hope to procure the longer range Meteor missile, currently under development by MBDA, beginning in the next decade to fulfill the BVRAAM program. AMRAAM fills a gap until 2010 providing key BVR engagement capability. In the worst case, the Meteor program cancellation, the AMRAAM could take its place following the 25 years option.