Pakistan buys 700 air-to-air missiles from US

Pakistan is purchasing 500 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and 200 short-range AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles.

Pakistan is buying 700 air-to-air missiles made by US defence group Raytheon for $284 million.

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Pakistan is purchasing 500 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), the largest international order for this weapon, and 200 short-range AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, Raytheon said in a statement on Monday.

Delivery of the AMRAAM arsenal will start in 2008 and continue through 2011, the company said.

AMRAAM, from a joint US Air Force and Navy programme, are used by the armed forces of 32 countries, while 20 countries have AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, the statement said.

Pakistan has signed a letter of offer and acceptance for the 700 missiles, it said.

"The combined $284 million procurement augments Pakistan's established inventory and will provide the bulk of the air-to-air fire power of the Pakistan Air Force," the statement said.