Greece is seeking US approval to acquire AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for its F-35 fighters, a move driven by its desire to maintain air-combat superiority over Turkey in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. The request focuses on the AIM-120D, the most advanced version of the missile family, offering significant improvements in range, accuracy, and battlefield flexibility. Greek officials emphasize that the capability is necessary as Turkey prepares to equip its Eurofighter fleet with MBDA Meteor missiles, which could otherwise shift the regional balance of power.
Should the US decline the AIM-120D sale, Athens is reportedly ready to pursue the Meteor missile for its F-35s, potentially redirecting future procurement contracts toward European manufacturers. Greece has also expressed early interest in the AIM-260 JATM, the next-generation US air-to-air missile expected to replace the AMRAAM and provide superior performance against emerging threats. The combination of the AIM-120D and eventual AIM-260 integration would ensure that Greek F-35s remain competitive in long-range aerial engagements.
The AIM-120D is currently deployed across a wide spectrum of US and allied fighter fleets. The US Air Force fields it on F-15s, F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s, while partners including Japan, Norway, Australia, and South Korea have integrated it into their F-35 and F-15 platforms. Renowned for its extended reach, precision strike capability, and data-link-enabled in-flight retargeting, the missile has been used extensively in major NATO air-combat exercises and deployed operationally across the Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. Its proven reliability and versatility make it one of the most valuable air-superiority weapons available to Western air forces.
