By Wu Qiaoxi | 2026-04-07

The United States has approved a $3.16 billion sale of up to 450 AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles (JATMs) to Australia. The deal marks the first export of the next-generation air-to-air weapon and reflects a broader effort to respond to growing challenges posed by China's long-range air-to-air missile capabilities.

Media reported the approval in March, but the US Congress received notification from the Pentagon in January, which previously went unreported. It then green-lighted the sale without objections.

The package includes five integration test vehicles and 30 guided test vehicles, expanding Australia's ability to test and field the system. The scale of the package reflects a significant step in US-Australia defense cooperation and highlights Canberra's focus on advanced air combat capability.

Strategic signal

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. ... The strategic location of this political and economic power [Australia] contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the Western Pacific," according to a US congressional notice.

The notice framed the deal in broader strategic terms, stating, "The proposed sale ... will not alter the basic military balance in the region."

It outlined the operational benefits of the proposed sale.

"The proposed sale will improve Australia's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring Australia has modern, capable air-to-air munitions that improve interoperability between the United States and the Royal Australian Air Force," the notice said.

Australia is expected to receive its first batch of the missiles in the third quarter of 2033, the Defense Post reported.

Next-generation missile

The AIM-260 JATM, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a next-generation beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile designed to replace or supplement the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile currently in US service. The program began in 2017, marking the first new US air-to-air missile for fighter-sized aircraft since the end of the Cold War, according to Military Watch Magazine.

The missile is expected to offer greater range than the AIM-120 while being externally similar. It integrates with the F-22, F-35 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet without major modifications.

Australia's air force is expected to be the first foreign service branch to integrate the AIM-260 JATM, aligning with Canberra's fighter modernization and coalition air operations.

Although technical details remain classified, the AIM-260 is expected to integrate with Collaborative Combat Aircraft. These systems are designed to operate as drone wingmen alongside crewed fighters. They expand the reach and flexibility of future air combat operations.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control will serve as the principal contractor for the program. The broader package includes logistics support, training systems, software and technical services to ensure integration and sustainment within Australia's existing force structure.

Chinese pressure

The procurement marks a strategic push to strengthen deterrence and support allied airpower amid mounting pressure from China's missile program.

Military Watch Magazine describes the situation as "particularly urgent due to Chinese frontline fighter units' growing advantage in their air-to-air missile capabilities," driven by the PL-15 Beyond-Visual-Range missile and its successor, the PL-16.

Japan and Australia have been prioritized for early AIM-260 deliveries to reinforce regional readiness. Both nations maintain air forces positioned to support US operations in a potential conflict with China.

Senior US officials have described the deal as essential for preserving a "strong and ready self-defense capability" for Australia. The scale of the purchase also reflects a shift toward stockpile depth and sustained combat capacity in high-intensity conflict scenarios.