US approves AIM-9X Block II+ sale to South Korea

An F-35A fires an AIM-9X missile from the its external wing against an aerial drone target at Point Mugu Test Range, California. (US Air Force)

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missiles (AAMs) to South Korea.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on 15 November that the possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) is worth USD52.1 million and features 42 AIM-9X Block II+ missiles, training missiles, guidance units, and associated equipment. The DSCA said Congress has been informed of the deal.

“The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's (RoK's) capability to meet current and future threats while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies,” said the DSCA. “Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces.”

The RoK Air Force is already a well-established operator of the AIM-9X Block II version. This missile is integrated onto the RoK Air Force's Boeing F-15K Slam Eagle, Lockheed Martin KF-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft.

In March 2020 the US Department of Defense also said South Korea was one of several countries scheduled to receive Block II+ missiles under a USD392 million contract awarded to Raytheon.