What weapons did South Korea request in the U.S. AMRAAM sale approval?

South Korea requested 70 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and two AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections. The request also includes AMRAAM containers, control sections, and support equipment.

How much is the proposed AMRAAM sale to South Korea worth?

The State Department estimated the potential Foreign Military Sale at $292 million. It said the sale still requires congressional notification and review before moving forward.

Why did the State Department say the AMRAAM sale matters for South Korea?

The department said the proposed sale would improve South Korea’s ability to meet current and future threats by expanding air defense, deterring aggression in the region, and ensuring interoperability with U.S. forces.

US approves potential sale of AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to S. Korea

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Summary

The U.S. government authorized a potential sale to South Korea of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and related items in Washington on Wednesday. The State Department said the proposed Foreign Military Sale is estimated at $292 million and still needs congressional notification and review. South Korea requested 70 missiles, two guidance sections, and other equipment. The department said the sale would strengthen South Korea’s air defense and interoperability with U.S. forces.

Key Facts

South Korea requested 70 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and two AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections, along with containers, control sections, and support equipment.
The proposed Foreign Military Sale is estimated to cost $292 million.
RTX Corporation in Arlington, Virginia, was named as the principal contractor.
The State Department said the sale would help deter aggression in the region and ensure interoperability with U.S. forces.
Last week, the U.S. government also authorized a potential $106 million sale of JDAM precision bombs to South Korea.

By Yonhap

Published Jun 11, 2026 2:14 am KST

This photo, released by South Korea's Air Force, shows a F-35A fighter jet firing an AMRAAM air-to-air missile during a training session in a firing range in the Yellow Sea on Mar. 24, 2023. Yonhap

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government has authorized a potential sale to South Korea of dozens of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and related items, the State Department said Wednesday, noting the proposed sale will help enhance the Asian ally's defense capabilities.

The department announced its decision on the potential government-to-government Foreign Military Sale (FMS), which is estimated to cost $292 million. The proposed sale requires congressional notification and review.

South Korea has made a request to purchase 70 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and two AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections, as well as other equipment items, including AMRAAM containers, control sections and support equipment, according to the department.

"The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's capability to meet current and future threats by expanding its air defense capability, deterring aggression in the region, and ensuring interoperability with U.S. Forces," the department said in a release.

The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation in Arlington, Virginia, it said.

Last week, the U.S. government authorized a potential sale to South Korea of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) precision bombs and related equipment, which is estimated to cost $106 million.

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