US Statement Brings Clarity Amid Confusion Over Pakistan’s Alleged Missile Deal

The US Embassy in India issued a firm clarification on Friday, stating that Pakistan will not receive any new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) under a recently notified arms contract, dispelling speculation fueled by improved bilateral ties. The statement addresses reports that emerged earlier this week suggesting the US was considering supplying these sophisticated weapons to Islamabad, amid a notable thaw in relations following high-level engagements. This comes against the backdrop of evolving US-Pakistan dynamics under President Donald Trump's administration, which has emphasized counterterrorism cooperation and regional stability in South Asia.

The clarification arrives just days after a September 30, 2025, announcement from the US Department of War (DoW)—the rebranded Department of Defense—listed Pakistan among 35 nations in a major missile sustainment deal, sparking concerns in India and among global observers about potential shifts in the regional military balance.

The embassy's response directly counters media narratives that portrayed the contract as a fresh arms infusion to bolster Pakistan's air force capabilities. "On September 30, 2025, the Department of War released a list of standard contract announcements, which referred to an amendment to an existing Foreign Military Sales contract for sustainment and spares for several countries, including Pakistan," the US Embassy and Consulates in India explained in an official statement. It further emphasized: "No part of this referenced contract modification is for deliveries of new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan.

The sustainment does not include an upgrade to any of Pakistan’s current capabilities." This amendment pertains solely to maintenance and spare parts for pre-existing inventories, ensuring continuity without enhancing operational strength. AMRAAMs, produced by Raytheon (now RTX Corporation), are beyond-visual-range missiles integral to modern air combat, with variants like the C8 and D3 offering advanced radar guidance and extended range up to 100 kilometers—capabilities that have long been a point of contention in Indo-Pak tensions.

The contract in question, valued at $2.51 billion, was awarded to Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona, and encompasses foreign military sales to a broad coalition of allies, including the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Turkey, among others. According to the DoW notification the work is slated for completion by May 30, 2030, focusing on logistics and support rather than new production or transfers.

This multinational framework underscores the US's strategy to maintain interoperability among NATO partners and key regional players through standardized sustainment programs. For Pakistan, which has historically relied on US military aid—peaking at $33 billion since 2001 but fluctuating amid human rights and counterterrorism benchmarks—the clarification reaffirms constraints imposed by the Leahy Law and other export controls, preventing transfers that could escalate arms races in the subcontinent.

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The episode highlights the delicate interplay of diplomacy and defense in US-South Asia policy, where overtures to Pakistan often draw scrutiny from India, a Quad partner and rising strategic counterweight to China. Recent developments, including a White House meeting between President Trump, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Field Marshal Asim Munir, have signaled renewed engagement on issues like Afghan stability and economic corridors. Yet, analysts note that such clarifications serve to assuage allies while preserving leverage.

As the contract unfolds, it will be monitored closely for compliance, with implications for future US arms decisions in a geopolitically volatile region. The embassy's proactive stance may temper immediate diplomatic frictions, but it also invites questions about transparency in arms notifications amid accelerating global defense spending.

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