Denmark invests almost $216M in middle-range AIM-120 AAM acquisition

The Royal Danish Air Force [RDAF] has received the green light from Washington to acquire 84 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles along with three AIM-120 AMRAAM homing sections. This was confirmed by the US State Department, as detailed on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency website on June 7.

The deal is valued at $215.5 million. Beyond production and delivery, Washington is also offering programmatic support for the munitions. The total amount includes the delivery of spare AMRAAM control sections, containers, and auxiliary equipment, along with maintenance, support equipment, spare parts, supplies, accessories, and repair and return support, Bulgarian Military reports.

This proposed sale is set to enhance Denmark’s capability to tackle current and future threats with modern, capable air-to-air munitions. Additionally, it’ll boost the interoperability of the Danish Air Force with the US Joint Force and other regional and NATO forces. Denmark already possesses AMRAAMs in its arsenal and will have no trouble integrating these new items into its forces.

The latest integration

The AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM also called the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, is top-of-the-line for beyond-visual-range [BVR] encounters. Part of the renowned AIM-120 AMRAAM family, it’s been a pivotal element of modern air combat for many years. This latest iteration boasts advanced features tailored for today’s combat landscapes.

At approximately 12 feet [3.66 meters] long and about 7 inches [0.18 meters] in diameter, the AIM-120C-8 is compact. Its size means it can be fitted to a wide array of fighter jets without majorly affecting their performance or agility.

The AIM-120C-8 gets its speed and range from a solid-fuel rocket motor, enabling it to fly quickly and travel far. This propulsion system strikes a balance between quickness and distance, making it versatile for numerous combat scenarios.

Operational range

Technically, the AIM-120C-8 boasts advanced guidance systems, including an active radar seeker that enables it to autonomously track and engage targets after launch. This “fire-and-forget” feature offers a crucial edge in modern air combat, where pilots often need to engage multiple targets at once. Moreover, the missile has an inertial reference unit and a datalink, allowing for mid-course updates that enhance its accuracy.

The AIM-120C-8 carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead designed to deliver maximum damage to enemy aircraft upon impact. Its cutting-edge fusing system ensures the warhead detonates at the optimal moment for maximum effect.

While the exact operational range of the AIM-120C-8 remains classified, it is widely believed to exceed 100 kilometers [approximately 62 miles]. This impressive range allows pilots to engage enemy aircraft from a safer distance, reducing the risk of counterattacks.

The RDAF’s F-35s

The AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM is a versatile missile, deployed on a host of modern fighter aircraft. In the U.S., you’ll find it outfitted on the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet, and the F-22 Raptor. It’s also compatible with the cutting-edge F-35 Lightning II, earmarked as the future backbone of many global air forces. Additionally, allied nations’ jets, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, are equipped to carry the AIM-120C-8 as well.

Denmark has joined the list of U.S.-approved operators of the advanced F-35 Lightning II. Currently, the Royal Danish Air Force [RDAF] commands four of these fifth-generation fighters, with an additional 17 anticipated in the coming years. The first F-35 touched down in Denmark in 2023.

The RDAF boasts a fleet of 30 F-16 fighters. However, these are no longer included in Denmark’s inventory, following recent negotiations. Of these, 24 were purchased by the Argentine Air Force with the approval of the U.S. and the U.K., while the operationally capable remaining F-16s are being donated to Ukraine.