The Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office (PMA-259) gained Portugal as its 29th Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X International Partner, after Portugal announced it signed and accepted the AIM-9X Block II Missile Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) on Sept. 28.
Air-to-Air Missiles program welcomes Portugal as 29th AIM-9X International Partner
The Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office (PMA-259) gained Portugal as its 29th Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X International Partner, after Portugal announced it signed and accepted the AIM-9X Block II Missile Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) on Sept. 28.
The signed LOA allows PMA-259 to procure 18 AIM-9X Block II missiles on behalf of the Portuguese Air Force to complement Portugal’s F-16 fleet. This procurement will be part of the United States Navy’s Lot 23 Production Contract, which will lead to missile delivery in 2026.
The PMA-259 International Programs Team has been working with Portugal representatives since January on this specific LOA effort and has supported an international relationship with Portugal for many years. PMA-259 has provided AIM-9X weapon system information to Portugal, through various Multi-Lateral International Engagements with all five of the F-16 European Participating Air Forces countries: Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. Portugal will receive AIM-9X Block II missiles that will employ the true fifth-generation Block II capabilities of Lock-On-After-Launch, Data Link, and Surface Attack.