Australia has announced the procurement of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, becoming the first foreign operator of the advanced air-to-air missile. The nearly A$736 million acquisition will significantly expand the Royal Australian Air Force's air combat capabilities.
The acquisition is part of Australia's push to prepare for high-end conflict in the Indo-Pacific, particularly against China's rapidly advancing airpower. The missiles will be integrated onto the RAAF's F/A-18F Super Hornet fleet before being fielded on the F-35A and the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
The AIM-260 has been under development for years, with its capabilities remaining highly classified. It is intended to succeed the AMRAAM, offering substantially greater range and improved performance against advanced threats. The acquisition will improve interoperability with U.S. forces and provide the RAAF with a more credible deterrent against hostile aircraft.
