Pakistan’s China-made missile success prompts US to pursue $1bn AIM-260

• US Air Force and Navy jointly request $1 billion for AIM-260 missile production.
• Lockheed Martin anticipates a $30 billion increase from the missile program.
• AIM-260 intended for F-22, F-35, F-16, and F-15 fighters.

ISLAMABAD — Recent funding requests highlight that, shortly after Pakistan used Chinese super-long-range missiles to shoot down Indian fighter jets, the U.S. might be preparing to deploy its own advanced weapon: the Lockheed Martin AIM-260, according to The News.

As per budget documents and statements cited by Bloomberg, both the U.S. Air Force and Navy are asking for nearly $1 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, starting October 1, to commence production of this classified missile system.

The Air Force, leading the development of the AIM-260—also called the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile—has requested $368 million for its first production phase, plus an additional $300 million on its annual “Unfunded Priorities List” submitted to congressional defense committees. Meanwhile, the Navy has requested $301 million.

Market analysts at Melius Research estimated last year that the missile could grow into a $30 billion program, depending on production volume. This would provide a significant boost for Lockheed Martin following a second-quarter earnings report that revealed $1.6 billion in charges and a potential $4.6 billion tax liability.

“Growing profits in Lockheed’s Missiles and Fire Control division is crucial,” said Scott Mikus, an analyst at Melius. “The key will be whether they can avoid or limit future charges related to this classified missile program, believed to be the AIM-260.”

Once operational—though the Air Force has not specified when—the weapon will become the U.S.’s most advanced air-to-air missile. It will replace older versions of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, introduced in 1993, which have become increasingly sophisticated over time. The Air Force has yet to announce what advancements have prompted it to move ahead with production.

The spotlight on long-range air-launched weapons grew in May, when Pakistani jets used Chinese-made PL-15 missiles to shoot down Indian aircraft over 100 miles away without fear of retaliation, according to experts.

In last year’s Pentagon report on China’s military strength, it was noted that the Chinese air force likely declared the PL-17 air-to-air missile operational in 2023, with the follow-on PL-15 capable of striking targets from approximately 248 miles away.

The U.S. claims that the AIM-260 will feature increased range over current weapons and be effective in various threat scenarios. A Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson said in 2023 that the AIM-120 model supplied to Ukraine has a range of about 100 miles.

The AIM-260 is designed to fit inside the internal weapons bays of the F-22 and F-35 fighters while also being compatible with F-16 and F-15 aircraft.