US Gamble: Arming Pakistan with AMRAAMs, Risking India's Ire

The 2005 decision by the United States to provide Pakistan with advanced air-to-air missiles continues to be a sensitive topic. There's a strong belief that the US was aware the missiles could potentially be used against India, despite official purposes stated otherwise.

The Missiles in Question​

The AIM-120C AMRAAM missile is a powerful weapon designed for air combat. Pakistan wanted to use them with their F-16 fighter jets, and India saw this as a significant threat to its own defence systems.

India's Concerns & US Assurances​

India was understandably worried that these missiles would change the power dynamic in the region. They argued that the missiles were a direct threat to their own airborne warning and refueling capabilities.

The US, however, supplied the missiles anyway, under the framework of cooperation against terrorism. India was given assurances that Pakistan would use the F-16s and missiles only for counter-terrorism, not against India.

Things Changed in 2019​

As we know, things don't always go according to plan. In 2019, longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan flared up. During this conflict, Pakistan used both the F-16s and the AIM-120C AMRAAMs. This was a clear violation of the earlier agreement with the US.

Fallout​

This incident cast a long shadow. It showed that the US was likely aware of the risks when it initially supplied those missiles. As a result, the US has stopped supplying Pakistan with more of these missiles, and there are concerns about the effectiveness of the ones they already have.

Where This Leaves Us​

Understandably, this situation has become a point of tension in US-India relations. It raises important questions about future arms sales and how to maintain security in the region.

 

[sanket]

F-21 /F-18 & F-15Ex are already illiminated from MRFA ,They are just to put on pressure on Dassault. This jets not even met Tech Parameters in Last MMRCA. Now US Rebranding pitching F-21 .i still think Range of Astra MK2 is 160 kM , with Recent News about Astra Range 130 kM.

 

[Hari Sud]

Remember that Americans are double sided weapons. They do everything with full knowledge. They are not trust worthy friends.

 

[sunilanalysis]

If India can buy weapons from Russia, why India cries if America supplies weapons to Pak ? Afterall Pak is informally NATO ally, helped NATO ruin afghanistan during and post cold war times...

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

F-21 /F-18 & F-15Ex are already illiminated from MRFA ,They are just to put on pressure on Dassault. This jets not even met Tech Parameters in Last MMRCA. Now US Rebranding pitching F-21 .i still think Range of Astra MK2 is 160 kM , with Recent News about Astra Range 130 kM.

Nobody fires the BVR AAM at max range. If u do the missile will just run out of kinetic energy and fall off by the time it reaches the target. You need to account for the no escape zone and as such even if the missile itself has a max range of 160Km, modern BVR AAM have a no escape zone typically in range of about 30-50Km. So the actual effective range at which the Astra AAM can engage would indeed be in the range of 110-130Km.

 

[Ajath]

Its not all surprising. If US supplied F16 definitely AIM 120 C would be a part of the package. If any one thinks US will stop only with fighter jet devoid of weapons need to have his head examined.

 

[Enforcer]

America can become India’s best friend. Similar to Israel.

It’s very easy, just pay roughly 100 million dollars in campaign donations aka bribes to politicians. You invest 100 million and you get billions back.

 

[Indian1]

US must supply F 35 to it's best friend so that it will bring an end to the white elephant.

 

[Pink Panther]

F-21 /F-18 & F-15Ex are already illiminated from MRFA ,They are just to put on pressure on Dassault. This jets not even met Tech Parameters in Last MMRCA. Now US Rebranding pitching F-21 .i still think Range of Astra MK2 is 160 kM , with Recent News about Astra Range 130 kM.

If somebody sponsors $40Bln, IAF can happily buy 114 Refale's, with India's alotted budget may be IAF can buy 57 Rafale's, so cheap 4th gen jet with latest tech is the only option if we have to buy all 114 jets in single procurement, If it is staggered purchase or one time purchase of just 2 more squadron, then there is a possibility of more Rafael’s, we can rule out F18 and F15 as they are redundant, also F21 F15EX and F/A-18 Block 3 never paticipated in MMRCA 1.0 to be rejected as you say, these are completely different aircraft now.

 

[Ashutosh]

F-21 /F-18 & F-15Ex are already illiminated from MRFA ,They are just to put on pressure on Dassault. This jets not even met Tech Parameters in Last MMRCA. Now US Rebranding pitching F-21 .i still think Range of Astra MK2 is 160 kM , with Recent News about Astra Range 130 kM.

Factually wrong neither of the 2 jets mentioned participated in MMRCA.

 

[Pink Panther]

US must supply F 35 to it's best friend so that it will bring an end to the white elephant.

India has to donate it's S-400 to Ukraine.

 

[Harsh]

Don't b*tch. Trust all this was well understood as the disinformation and subterfuge of anti-terror operation was used to justify.
Never the less, no love lost. Just a little betrayal.

 

[Adil]

F-21 /F-18 & F-15Ex are already illiminated from MRFA ,They are just to put on pressure on Dassault. This jets not even met Tech Parameters in Last MMRCA. Now US Rebranding pitching F-21 .i still think Range of Astra MK2 is 160 kM , with Recent News about Astra Range 130 kM.

MRFA is not practical with any expensive jets unless it’s a staggered purchase, but even that is highly doubtful.

 

[beencensured]

Its not all surprising. If US supplied F16 definitely AIM 120 C would be a part of the package. If any one thinks US will stop only with fighter jet devoid of weapons need to have his head examined.

USA makes money through arms race. Supporting terrorist destabilizes the world. USA is no saint, and is the cause of Pakistan. After Shimla accords, Pakistan should have never been allowed to rearm as that was a violation of agreement.

 

[beencensured]

If India can buy weapons from Russia, why India cries if America supplies weapons to Pak ? Afterall Pak is informally NATO ally, helped NATO ruin afghanistan during and post cold war times...

India is a peaceful country, and Pakistan violates the Shimla accord. USA support terrorism and genocide by supporting Pakistan.

 

[bonito]

If India can buy weapons from Russia, why India cries if America supplies weapons to Pak ? Afterall Pak is informally NATO ally, helped NATO ruin afghanistan during and post cold war times...

Pak is a 4 time FATF listed terrorists nation. That's the difference

 

[Santosh Kumar pal]

Remember that Americans are double sided weapons. They do everything with full knowledge. They are not trust worthy friends.

Though lMF will support more money to Pakistan and mainly this money will be use to Pak army.Pak army will buy more weapons against lndia,Pak army will sponsor terrorism in J&K.
Many our Jawans are dying due to the terriosm in J&K each year.
All things are happening from support of Western money.
Pak army has huge business empire and these business houses are not any kind of tax because these are based on NGO under "Faujie Foundation".
IMF is totally keep mum on this issue.
IMF is totally sponsoring Pak army's undeclared war against lndia.
Indians should understand this role of lMF's financial help to Pakistan.

 

[Santosh Kumar pal]

Recently pak air force gets technological upgradition of their old F16 jets from US.
Pakistan army is still asking advance AMRAAM Air to Air missiles for their F16 jets and these air to air missile will be targeted into Indian air force fighter jets in future battle.
US army has base in Pakistan for their operations against Taliban.
Previously US did drone operations against Taliban in Afghanistan.
US also support Pak airforce operations against Taliban in Afghanistan.
Pakistan and Pakistan army both are still ally of US.
US government also play the same game with both sides i.e.lndia and Pakistan.