 "Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with US President Donald Trump during the Nato summit in London, UK, December 4, 2019. File Image/Turkey Presidential Press Office via Reuters")
The recent approval by the United States to sell AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Turkey has triggered serious concerns in India.
The $225 million deal, which includes a wide range of support equipment alongside the missiles, has revived memories of past security incidents and drawn attention to Turkey’s defence ties with Pakistan
The apprehension in New Delhi is not rooted merely in the deal’s financial value or the type of missile being sold.
Instead, it is the broader geopolitical implications — particularly Turkey’s deepening support for Pakistan and its military transfers — that have elevated this arms sale from a Nato-related transaction to a matter of national concern for India.
The US-Turkey AMRAAM deal
According to a notification released by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on May 14, Turkey has formally requested the purchase of 53 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs, along with six guidance sections. The agreement, which still requires Congressional approval, covers far more than just the missiles.
Included in the proposed sale are AMRAAM containers, Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE), spare and repair parts, classified software, software delivery and support, technical documentation, transportation services, and programme logistics.
Additionally, the deal provides for US government and contractor support involving engineering, logistics and maintenance services.
In its justification, the DSCA stated: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States by improving the security of a Nato ally that continues to be a force for political and economic stability in Europe.”
The agency added, “This proposed sale will provide Turkiye with a critical air defence capability to assist in defending its homeland and US personnel stationed there. Turkiye will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
What makes the AMRAAM so critical
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is among the most widely used and technologically advanced air-to-air missile systems in modern warfare. Designed for beyond visual range engagements, it features a sophisticated combination of inertial guidance, mid-course updates, and active radar homing.
Described by its manufacturer Raytheon as the “world’s most sophisticated, combat-proven air dominance weapon,” the AMRAAM has been tested in over 4,900 live-fire scenarios and has accounted for more than 13 air-to-air combat victories.
The missile has been integrated into multiple fighter aircraft platforms including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22 Raptor, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, Harrier and all variants of the F-35.
It is also the standard weapon system used in NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), a highly capable ground-based air defence system.
Its adaptability in both air-launched and surface-launched roles makes the AMRAAM particularly valuable to militaries seeking operational flexibility and proven performance in diverse combat scenarios.
Why India is concerned
The Indian government’s unease over this deal is anchored in a precedent. In February 2019, during aerial combat that followed the Balakot air strikes , Pakistani F-16 fighters reportedly fired AMRAAM missiles at Indian aircraft over Jammu and Kashmir.
The skirmish took place a day after Indian Air Force jets targeted terrorist camps in Balakot, Pakistan, in response to the Pulwama suicide bombing .
According to senior Indian government sources, India furnished evidence to the United States showing that AMRAAMs were used by Pakistani jets in this encounter.
“The US decision has alarmed the Modi government as India in 2019 gave proof to the Americans about the use of F16 fighters and AMRAAM beyond visual range air-to-air missiles by Pakistan during its unsuccessful aerial raid targeting Indian military installations,” sources told The Economic Times.
Since the AMRAAM is compatible only with specific aircraft — notably the F-16 — and Pakistan does not possess other fighter platforms that can fire the missile, the source of the weaponry was self-evident.
That incident brought to light how American-made equipment, originally sold for defensive purposes to an ally, could end up being used against another US partner.
India’s worry today is that similar circumstances could repeat if Turkey, known for its growing strategic and military cooperation with Pakistan, either transfers or facilitates access to such weapon systems.
Turkey’s increasing cosiness with with Pakistan
Over the past few years, Ankara has deepened its bilateral relations with Islamabad , extending beyond diplomacy into weapons and defence technology. Turkey has supplied drones, including the Songar and Yiha models, to Pakistan — drones that were used by Pakistan in the recent military escalation against Indian targets.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been vocal in his support for Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue and other regional matters.
After India initiated Operation Sindoor in retaliation to cross-border terrorism, Erdoğan reached out to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and publicly affirmed Turkey’s support .
“Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to do what it can to prevent the tensions from escalating, and that his diplomatic contacts in that regard would continue,” read a statement from the Turkish presidency.
On social media, Erdoğan had added: “We are concerned that the tension between Pakistan and India could escalate into open conflict with missile attacks that have resulted in the martyrdom of numerous civilians. I pray for Allah’s mercy for our brothers who lost their lives in the attacks, and I once again extend my condolences to the brotherly people and state of Pakistan.”
He also endorsed Islamabad’s request for an independent investigation into the hostilities.
This close alignment — both military and political — between Turkey and Pakistan has resulted in a growing backlash in India . A ‘ban Turkey’ campaign has taken root, particularly in sectors like tourism and agricultural trade, with Indian businesses severing ties with Turkish counterparts .
The US-Turkey military relationship is also complicated
Despite periodic tensions in the bilateral relationship — particularly over Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system — the United States continues to maintain strong defence ties with Turkey, citing its status as a Nato ally.
Turkey’s defence forces operate a wide range of US-origin equipment, making it one of the most interconnected Nato members in terms of American military hardware.
The Turkish Air Force’s primary combat fleet consists of US-built F-16 fighter jets, and historically, it also operated F-4 Phantoms. In rotary aviation, platforms like the Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters are in active service.
The Turkish Navy has employed US-sourced Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, and the Army uses tanks such as the M60 Patton, armoured carriers like the M113 and artillery systems supplied or supported by American defence firms. Air-launched missiles including the Sidewinder and Maverick are also part of Turkey’s arsenal.
Though Ankara was expelled from the F-35 programme following its S-400 acquisition, the US continues to upgrade and support Turkey’s existing fleet, especially its F-16s. Turkey has also received transport and refuelling aircraft like the C-130 Hercules and KC-135 Stratotanker.
What next for India
Given Turkey’s material and political support to Pakistan, the sale of highly capable air-to-air missiles to Ankara inevitably invites scrutiny in New Delhi.
With India’s deepening ties with the United States and growing defence cooperation with Western powers, India may now have to voice its concerns more vocally to ensure that allies take its regional sensitivities into account when approving high-tech arms sales.
The approval of AMRAAM missile sales to Turkey may have been designed to reinforce Nato interoperability and support a long-standing alliance, but for India, it opens up difficult questions.
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With inputs from agencies