- Australia has announced the acquisition of the long-range AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Exercise 'Pitch Black' 2026.
- The A$736 million investment will be made under the US Foreign Military Sales program.
- The missile will be integrated initially on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, followed by the F-35A and EA-18G Growler aircraft.
- Australia will become the first foreign operator of the AIM-260 missile, significantly enhancing its air combat capabilities.
- The AIM-260 is developed by the US Navy and Air Force to counter China's long-range missile capabilities.
- The acquisition aligns with Australia's broader effort to modernize its Defence Force amid an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific security environment.
Australia has officially become the first foreign operator of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), with a significant investment of AUD736 million (USD518 million) announced by Defence Minister Richard Marles during Exercise Pitch Black 2026 at RAAF Base Darwin.1256
The acquisition, made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, marks a pivotal enhancement of the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) air combat capabilities. The AIM-260 is designed to provide a credible deterrent against airborne threats, complementing existing air-to-air missile systems within the Australian Defence Force (ADF).7
The missile, which is estimated to be about 4 meters long with a range exceeding 180 kilometers, will first be integrated with the RAAF's Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, followed by the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and EA-18G Growler aircraft. This integration is crucial as the missile is intended to succeed the AMRAAM, offering significantly greater range and performance against advanced threats.4
The decision to procure the AIM-260 aligns with Australia's broader strategy to modernize its defence capabilities amid an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific security environment, particularly in response to China's expanding military capabilities. Furthermore, this acquisition will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces, as both nations continue to operate closely in the region.
“The acquisition of the AIM-260 JATM will provide air force platforms with a credible deterrent against airborne targets,” the Department of Defence stated, emphasizing the importance of this procurement in maintaining regional security.
“The missile will first integrate on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, then the F-35A and EA-18G Growler, with the RAAF's collaborative combat aircraft a likely future platform. Defense Minister Richard Marles said the acquisition delivers long-range strike capabilities to deter adversaries and protect national interests.”
TWZ
