Poland is poised to significantly upgrade its air defense capabilities with the proposed purchase of 400 AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) from the United States, under a deal valued at approximately $1.33 billion. The planned acquisition includes a wide array of support equipment, encryption technology, and logistical services, according to information released by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on April 29, 2025.
Approved by the U.S. Department of State and now awaiting Congressional notification, the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) will deepen the strategic ties between Poland and the United States while reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank at a time of mounting regional tensions.
The AIM-120D3 is the most advanced variant of the AMRAAM missile family developed by RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon). Designed for beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air engagements, the D3 incorporates substantial improvements over earlier variants in range, targeting precision, and resistance to electronic warfare.
While maintaining the same external design as its predecessors, the AIM-120D3 is outfitted with next-generation guidance and communication systems. It utilizes inertial navigation with a two-way data link, enabling mid-course updates from external sensors, including those provided via network-centric warfare platforms. The missile retains its critical “fire-and-forget” capability, allowing pilots to disengage after launch, while also permitting in-flight course correction to counter evasive or maneuvering targets.
With a maximum speed approaching Mach 4 and an extended range estimated at 160 to 180 kilometers, the D3 can engage aerial threats far outside the visual line of sight. This expanded envelope significantly boosts a defending air force’s ability to intercept hostile aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) before they threaten key infrastructure or population centers.
The proposed missile sale arrives at a time when Poland is actively transforming its military capabilities in response to an increasingly volatile security environment. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and continued hybrid threats across Eastern Europe have compelled Warsaw to modernize its armed forces and deepen cooperation within NATO frameworks.
Poland already fields earlier variants of the AMRAAM missile, integrated into its fleet of F-16C/D Block 52+ multirole fighters. The D3 missiles will initially augment this fleet, dramatically improving its effectiveness in long-range aerial engagements. Looking ahead, the D3 will also be compatible with Poland’s upcoming F-35A Lightning II jets, scheduled for delivery beginning in 2026.
Beyond air-to-air applications, the D3 is also compatible with the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), a ground-based air defense system that Poland is actively evaluating for future integration. This could eventually allow Poland to create a unified, layered air defense network combining airborne and ground-based intercept capabilities, aligned with broader NATO air defense strategies.
The FMS package approved by the U.S. government includes more than just missiles. Along with 400 AIM-120D3 units, the proposed sale comprises 16 guidance sections equipped with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code encrypted GPS modules, one instrumented AIM-120 test vehicle for evaluation, and a suite of support and test equipment.
Non-Major Defense Equipment (non-MDE) items in the package:
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Control sections and transport containers
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ADU-891 test sets
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CMBRE (Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment)
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KGV-135A encryption devices
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Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINs)
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Classified software
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Technical manuals and publications
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Spare parts, consumables, and transportation
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U.S. government and contractor technical support
These components are essential for ensuring the full integration, maintenance, and operation of the missile systems within Poland’s existing defense infrastructure. They also reflect the comprehensive nature of FMS agreements, which typically include training, logistics, and lifecycle support.
This sale is more than a bilateral defense transaction—it’s a calculated move within the broader architecture of NATO deterrence. Poland is increasingly seen as a keystone ally on the eastern flank of the Alliance, with its geographic location placing it at the forefront of potential confrontation with Russian or other regional threats.
The U.S. State Department emphasized that the proposed sale aligns with American foreign policy and national security objectives. “It will improve the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the Department said in its notification.
Indeed, this acquisition strengthens not only Poland’s military but also enhances NATO’s integrated air defense capabilities. As European nations push to modernize their forces and reduce dependency on older, Soviet-era systems, the interoperability provided by U.S.-made systems like the AIM-120D3 becomes increasingly vital.
With an estimated average cost of roughly $1 million per missile, the AIM-120D3 represents a significant investment. However, the $1.33 billion total includes extensive support systems, classified technologies, and government-to-government services that extend the missile’s utility over a long operational life.
RTX Corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, has been designated as the prime contractor. While no formal offset agreement—where parts of the deal must benefit the buyer’s domestic industry—has been announced yet, such arrangements are common in high-value arms deals and could be negotiated later.
No deployment of U.S. military personnel will be required to implement this sale, according to DSCA, and it will not affect U.S. military readiness.
Poland’s defense spending has surged in recent years, spurred by a growing sense of vulnerability and a desire to meet and exceed NATO’s 2% GDP defense spending target. In 2024, the country allocated more than 4% of its GDP to defense—among the highest levels in the Alliance.
This missile procurement fits into a broader modernization campaign:
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Acquisition of 32 F-35A stealth fighters
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Purchase of K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea
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HIMARS rocket artillery systems from the U.S.
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Patriot and short-range air defense systems
These initiatives are designed to transform the Polish military from a primarily territorial defense force into a mobile, NATO-integrated actor capable of both defending national borders and projecting power regionally.
The AIM-120D3’s appeal lies not only in its raw performance but also in its adaptability to modern battlefields:
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Two-way data link: Allows real-time target updates and mid-course correction, even in dense electromagnetic environments.
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Advanced encryption: M-Code and SAASM modules ensure the missile’s guidance system is resistant to spoofing or jamming—critical in modern electronic warfare scenarios.
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High agility: Built to defeat maneuvering targets with erratic flight paths, such as enemy fighters or cruise missiles.
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Low maintenance: Designed for long shelf life with minimal upkeep, enhancing operational readiness.
These characteristics make the D3 well-suited to Poland’s current and future aircraft fleets, providing flexibility across a range of combat scenarios.
Poland’s decision to pursue the D3 variant reflects a broader global trend toward longer-range, smarter, and more survivable air-to-air munitions. With adversaries investing in advanced fighters, drone swarms, and hypersonic weapons, nations like Poland must respond with equally sophisticated systems.
This acquisition also sends a message to Moscow and other regional actors: Poland is not only capable but willing to invest in cutting-edge defense. It strengthens the credibility of NATO’s deterrence, especially as threats evolve beyond traditional troop deployments to include cyber attacks, missile salvos, and gray-zone operations.
If approved by Congress and finalized in contract form, the sale could begin deliveries as early as 2026, just in time to complement the arrival of Poland’s first F-35A fighters. Integration with existing F-16 squadrons could occur even earlier, depending on testing and training schedules.
The deployment of AIM-120D3 missiles in Poland will not only enhance its own air defense but also bolster the capabilities of NATO’s integrated air and missile defense architecture in Eastern Europe.
For Warsaw, the investment reflects both urgency and foresight. In a region defined by shifting alliances, contested airspace, and an ever-present Russian threat, Poland is betting that superiority in the skies will be essential to security on the ground.
