Finland increases its air superiority potential with 405 US-made AIM-120D-3 air-to-air missiles
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On September 10, 2025, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced a potential Foreign Military Sale to Finland of AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and related elements of support, valued at up to $1.07 billion. This step places Finland among the few European countries cleared to receive the most recent export-available AMRAAM variant, which has been progressively introduced to address obsolescence issues and meet new operational requirements. These missiles will improve Finland’s beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat capability, particularly as its air force transitions from F/A-18 Hornets to more modern F-35A Lightning II fighters.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Finland already fields AMRAAMs and is expected to absorb the D-3 variant without difficulty, and it also intends to procure AGM-158B JASSM-ER and AGM-88G AARGM-ER to broaden long-range strike and suppression options. (Picture source: Raytheon)
The Finnish request covers up to 405 AIM-120D-3 missiles and eight AIM-120D-3 guidance sections, which include precise positioning technology through the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code. The package extends beyond the missiles themselves, including control sections, containers, Common Munitions Built-in Test and Reprogramming Equipment, ADU-891 adaptor group test sets, spare parts, consumables, software and documentation, training equipment, transport support, and contractor and government engineering, technical, and logistics assistance. Classified publications, software support, and repair and return services are also part of the request. DSCA specified that the proposed sale will not change the basic military balance in the region, will not require deployment of U.S. personnel in Finland, and will not negatively affect U.S. defense readiness. RTX Corporation of Arlington, Virginia, is the principal contractor, and no offset arrangement has been identified, although such an agreement
The Finnish Air Force is preparing to integrate the AIM-120D-3 into its future fleet of 64 F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft, ordered as replacements for its F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The first F-35A delivery is expected before the end of 2025, with eight aircraft to be stationed initially at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas to support pilot and maintainer training. According to Finnish defense officials, operational deployment in Lapland is scheduled for 2028, with full operational capability planned by 2030. The transition timeline has been described as tightly constrained, with concerns that any delay in the F-35 program could require extending Hornet operations beyond their intended withdrawal. In parallel with the AMRAAM order, Finland has also indicated its intention to procure AGM-158B JASSM-ER long-range cruise missiles and AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles from the United States, thereby broadening its mix of standoff strike and suppression capabilities.
The AIM-120D-3, developed under the Form, Fit, Function Refresh (F3R) program, is the most recent iteration of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) family available to allied operators. This radar-guided, beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile incorporates a two-way datalink and a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, which permit mid-course updates, retargeting in flight, and third-party target designation, which increases engagement flexibility. The missile’s guidance section has also been redesigned with fifteen upgraded circuit cards that provide expanded processing power and allow for future software upgrades. While the precise range figures remain classified, estimates place its effective engagement range between 160 and 180 kilometers, providing a substantial increase compared to the AIM-120C-7 and enhancing the no-escape zone. The missile can now sustain maneuvers up to 40G, allowing it to pursue agile fighter aircraft as well as larger targets, while its active radar seeker provides autonomous endgame guidance after launch.
Exports of the D-3 variant, once limited, have expanded in recent years, beginning with Denmark as the first publicly identified customer and later extending to other European operators. The U.S. Air Force has noted that earlier AIM-120D variants achieved the longest known air-to-air engagement ranges, and the D-3 is expected to further increase kill probability in diverse operational scenarios while remaining effective in both defensive counter-air and offensive air superiority missions. When speaking of pure specifications, the AIM-120D-3 measures approximately 3.65 meters in length, with a launch weight of about 161 to 162 kilograms and a body diameter of 178 millimeters. It uses a solid-fuel rocket motor for propulsion, producing thrust sufficient to reach speeds up to Mach 4, and it carries a high-explosive blast-fragmentation warhead weighing between 20 and 23 kilograms. In addition to traditional radar homing, the AIM-120D-3 includes a “home-on-jam” mode that allows it to lock onto electronic jamming sources, improving the resilience against electronic warfare measures and extending the engagement envelope of the AMRAAM missiles against maneuvering targets.
The AMRAAM series has been a central component of U.S. and allied air forces since its entry into service in 1991, replacing the AIM-7 Sparrow as the standard beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. It uses active radar homing, allowing pilots to fire and disengage or prosecute additional targets. The missile can receive in-flight updates from the launching aircraft or other platforms, and in situations involving electronic interference, it can home in on jamming signals. The D variant, introduced in the 2010s, provided a 50 percent increase in range compared to the C-7 and added improved navigation and a broader no-escape envelope. The D-3 extends these capabilities further, maintaining the AMRAAM as a core system while new missiles are developed.
In addition to its air-to-air role, the AMRAAM is widely used in surface-to-air applications. The Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) employs AMRAAM as its primary interceptor and has been adopted by numerous NATO members and partners. Reports from Ukraine, where NASAMS has been used extensively against drones and cruise missiles, indicate high interception rates, with figures of more than 90 percent success achieved even with earlier AMRAAM models. The AMRAAM-ER, an extended-range version, adds further altitude and distance, expanding defended zones in ground-based roles. This dual employment capability demonstrates the versatility of the missile family and the logistical advantages for countries that operate both fighter aircraft and NASAMS batteries.
Recent procurement patterns show that demand for AMRAAM continues to grow despite the ongoing development of its successor, the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile. In August 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense signed a record $3.5 billion contract with Raytheon for AIM-120 missiles, telemetry, spares, and services for 19 allied nations. Lot 38, awarded in 2024, had already been described as the largest production lot in program history. To support this demand, production capacity was raised to approximately 1,200 missiles per year in 2024, with further increases planned. International participation has also expanded, with Nammo producing rocket motors and Japan beginning licensed production to increase output. While the AIM-260 is intended to provide greater range, the AMRAAM D-3 is expected to remain in production for years as a reliable capacity missile, ensuring compatibility across allied fleets and sustaining interoperability in both air-to-air and air-defense applications.
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On September 10, 2025, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced a potential Foreign Military Sale to Finland of AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and related elements of support, valued at up to $1.07 billion. This step places Finland among the few European countries cleared to receive the most recent export-available AMRAAM variant, which has been progressively introduced to address obsolescence issues and meet new operational requirements. These missiles will improve Finland’s beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat capability, particularly as its air force transitions from F/A-18 Hornets to more modern F-35A Lightning II fighters.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Finland already fields AMRAAMs and is expected to absorb the D-3 variant without difficulty, and it also intends to procure AGM-158B JASSM-ER and AGM-88G AARGM-ER to broaden long-range strike and suppression options. (Picture source: Raytheon)
The Finnish request covers up to 405 AIM-120D-3 missiles and eight AIM-120D-3 guidance sections, which include precise positioning technology through the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code. The package extends beyond the missiles themselves, including control sections, containers, Common Munitions Built-in Test and Reprogramming Equipment, ADU-891 adaptor group test sets, spare parts, consumables, software and documentation, training equipment, transport support, and contractor and government engineering, technical, and logistics assistance. Classified publications, software support, and repair and return services are also part of the request. DSCA specified that the proposed sale will not change the basic military balance in the region, will not require deployment of U.S. personnel in Finland, and will not negatively affect U.S. defense readiness. RTX Corporation of Arlington, Virginia, is the principal contractor, and no offset arrangement has been identified, although such an agreement
The Finnish Air Force is preparing to integrate the AIM-120D-3 into its future fleet of 64 F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft, ordered as replacements for its F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The first F-35A delivery is expected before the end of 2025, with eight aircraft to be stationed initially at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas to support pilot and maintainer training. According to Finnish defense officials, operational deployment in Lapland is scheduled for 2028, with full operational capability planned by 2030. The transition timeline has been described as tightly constrained, with concerns that any delay in the F-35 program could require extending Hornet operations beyond their intended withdrawal. In parallel with the AMRAAM order, Finland has also indicated its intention to procure AGM-158B JASSM-ER long-range cruise missiles and AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles from the United States, thereby broadening its mix of standoff strike and suppression capabilities.
The AIM-120D-3, developed under the Form, Fit, Function Refresh (F3R) program, is the most recent iteration of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) family available to allied operators. This radar-guided, beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile incorporates a two-way datalink and a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, which permit mid-course updates, retargeting in flight, and third-party target designation, which increases engagement flexibility. The missile’s guidance section has also been redesigned with fifteen upgraded circuit cards that provide expanded processing power and allow for future software upgrades. While the precise range figures remain classified, estimates place its effective engagement range between 160 and 180 kilometers, providing a substantial increase compared to the AIM-120C-7 and enhancing the no-escape zone. The missile can now sustain maneuvers up to 40G, allowing it to pursue agile fighter aircraft as well as larger targets, while its active radar seeker provides autonomous endgame guidance after launch.
Exports of the D-3 variant, once limited, have expanded in recent years, beginning with Denmark as the first publicly identified customer and later extending to other European operators. The U.S. Air Force has noted that earlier AIM-120D variants achieved the longest known air-to-air engagement ranges, and the D-3 is expected to further increase kill probability in diverse operational scenarios while remaining effective in both defensive counter-air and offensive air superiority missions. When speaking of pure specifications, the AIM-120D-3 measures approximately 3.65 meters in length, with a launch weight of about 161 to 162 kilograms and a body diameter of 178 millimeters. It uses a solid-fuel rocket motor for propulsion, producing thrust sufficient to reach speeds up to Mach 4, and it carries a high-explosive blast-fragmentation warhead weighing between 20 and 23 kilograms. In addition to traditional radar homing, the AIM-120D-3 includes a “home-on-jam” mode that allows it to lock onto electronic jamming sources, improving the resilience against electronic warfare measures and extending the engagement envelope of the AMRAAM missiles against maneuvering targets.
The AMRAAM series has been a central component of U.S. and allied air forces since its entry into service in 1991, replacing the AIM-7 Sparrow as the standard beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. It uses active radar homing, allowing pilots to fire and disengage or prosecute additional targets. The missile can receive in-flight updates from the launching aircraft or other platforms, and in situations involving electronic interference, it can home in on jamming signals. The D variant, introduced in the 2010s, provided a 50 percent increase in range compared to the C-7 and added improved navigation and a broader no-escape envelope. The D-3 extends these capabilities further, maintaining the AMRAAM as a core system while new missiles are developed.
In addition to its air-to-air role, the AMRAAM is widely used in surface-to-air applications. The Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) employs AMRAAM as its primary interceptor and has been adopted by numerous NATO members and partners. Reports from Ukraine, where NASAMS has been used extensively against drones and cruise missiles, indicate high interception rates, with figures of more than 90 percent success achieved even with earlier AMRAAM models. The AMRAAM-ER, an extended-range version, adds further altitude and distance, expanding defended zones in ground-based roles. This dual employment capability demonstrates the versatility of the missile family and the logistical advantages for countries that operate both fighter aircraft and NASAMS batteries.
Recent procurement patterns show that demand for AMRAAM continues to grow despite the ongoing development of its successor, the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile. In August 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense signed a record $3.5 billion contract with Raytheon for AIM-120 missiles, telemetry, spares, and services for 19 allied nations. Lot 38, awarded in 2024, had already been described as the largest production lot in program history. To support this demand, production capacity was raised to approximately 1,200 missiles per year in 2024, with further increases planned. International participation has also expanded, with Nammo producing rocket motors and Japan beginning licensed production to increase output. While the AIM-260 is intended to provide greater range, the AMRAAM D-3 is expected to remain in production for years as a reliable capacity missile, ensuring compatibility across allied fleets and sustaining interoperability in both air-to-air and air-defense applications.
