US denies supplying news AMRAAM missiles to Pakistan, White House issues clarification

The US on Friday denied any delivery of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) missiles to Pakistan, contrary to what was reported by multiple media outlets on Tuesday. In a statement, the US Embassy in India said the new contract with Pakistan is meant for certain “sustainment items” and does not include any new deliveries of the said missiles, debunking media reports as “false”.

“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 embassy in India said in a statement. 

“The Administration would like to emphasise that contrary to false media reports, no part of this referenced contract modification is for deliveries of new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan, it said.

“The sustainment does not include an upgrade to any of Pakistan’s current capabilities,” the release added.

The “sustainment and spares for several countries, including Pakistan” part could mean that the contract may involve replenishing missile stocks that Pakistan has recently used.

What media reports claimed on missile delivery to Pakistan

The embassy also stated that earlier reports had misinterpreted or exaggerated the purpose and scope of the contract modification. In recent days, several media outlets and regional publications suggested that Pakistan might receive AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles from the US, potentially strengthening its F-16 fleet and shifting the regional aerial balance. These reports sparked speculation that the US was providing Pakistan with a capability upgrade amid improving ties.

The US Embassy’s statement appears to directly counter these claims, stressing that the contract is purely intended to support existing systems rather than enhance them. The clarification underscores Washington’s awareness of perceptions that it could be influencing regional military balances.

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