US approves extended-range AMRAAM sale to Denmark

A Norwegian NASAMS battery performing live-fire drills. Denmark has been approved for the AMRAAM-ER to equip its own systems. (Norwegian Armed Forces)

The US has approved the sale to Denmark of Raytheon-RTX AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) systems.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the approval on 22 December, saying the US Department of State had cleared the USD951 million sale to the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) of 236 AMRAAM-ER missiles, as well as related equipment and services.

“The proposed sale will improve Denmark's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring it has modern, capable air-to-air munitions for its aircraft and surface-to-air munitions for its ground-based air defences. This sale will further advance the already high level of [the Royal] Danish Air Force interoperability with US forces and other regional and NATO forces,” the DSCA said.

The AMRAAM-ER missile is a ground-launched variant of the air-to-air AMRAAM that is designed to intercept targets at longer distances and higher altitudes. The AMRAAM-ER missile gets its boost in range from a larger rocket motor and optimised flight-control algorithms, while it utilises an AIM-120C-7 or C-8 seeker and warhead joined with a new control section and rocket rotor (for surface launch mode applications). This provides extended range and altitude capabilities, as well as higher speed and manoeuvrability. It also has a significantly improved no-escape envelope.

Although not referenced in the approval notification, these missiles will equip the RDAF's National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) ground-based air-defence units.

For more information on US AMRAAM approvals for European allies, please see US approves air-launched weapons for Belgium, Denmark .