Türkiye Upgrades F-16 Fighters with US AIM-9X Block II Missiles for Enhanced Close-Combat Precision.

On May 14, 2025, the United States Department of State authorized a Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Türkiye involving the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missile system, valued at an estimated $79.1 million. The transaction, disclosed by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), reflects Türkiye’s efforts to enhance its tactical air combat readiness and align its defense capabilities with NATO operational standards.
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The AIM-9X will primarily equip Türkiye’s fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons, particularly the recently acquired F-16V variant (Picture source: US DoD)

The approved package includes sixty All Up Round AIM-9X Block II missiles and eleven tactical guidance units. It also comprises missile containers, spare parts, support equipment, and a complete suite of technical, engineering, and logistics support services to be provided by the U.S. Government and RTX Corporation, the missile’s manufacturer based in Tucson, Arizona. Türkiye, which already operates earlier versions of the Sidewinder missile, is expected to integrate this latest variant smoothly into its armed forces.

The AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II represents the most advanced short-range air-to-air missile in current U.S. service. It introduces several enhancements over its predecessors, including a high off-boresight focal-plane array seeker, advanced thrust-vectoring control, and an improved infrared counter-countermeasures suite. Unlike previous Sidewinder models, the AIM-9X can also engage ground targets, expanding its tactical utility.

Although it retains legacy components from the AIM-9M, such as the ATK MK-139 solid-propellant rocket motor, warhead, and active optical target detector, the AIM-9X achieves markedly superior performance. The Block II version adds a lock-on-after-launch feature and a datalink for mid-course updates, allowing pilots to fire without a direct line-of-sight lock and engage targets even from behind the launching aircraft. This capability greatly improves flexibility and survivability during close-range engagements.

In terms of specifications, the missile measures 9.9 feet (3.02 meters) in length, has a diameter of 5 inches (0.13 meters), and a wingspan of 17.6 inches (0.45 meters). It weighs approximately 186 pounds (84.37 kilograms) and uses a solid-state infrared homing system for guidance. Its annular blast fragmentation warhead is designed to maximize damage against fast-moving aerial threats. The range and speed of the missile remain classified, but its known performance includes speeds exceeding Mach 2.5 and exceptional agility during flight.

The AIM-9X will primarily equip Türkiye’s fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons, particularly the recently acquired F-16V variant. This aircraft is equipped with the AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar and an upgraded avionics suite, including systems that are fully compatible with helmet-mounted cueing. These features enable pilots to fully exploit the AIM-9X’s off-boresight engagement capabilities, increasing effectiveness in the visual combat environment.

The missile is designed to deliver first-shot, first-kill capability in close combat scenarios. Its combination of advanced seeker technology, maneuverability, and datalink functionality provides both offensive and defensive advantages in aerial engagements. It also plays a supporting role in Beyond Visual Range operations by reinforcing air superiority against advanced threats.

Beyond its technical attributes, the AIM-9X Block II supports broader strategic objectives outlined in the U.S. National Defense Strategy and the Chief of Naval Operations Guidance. Its deployment within NATO-aligned air forces strengthens allied deterrence postures and contributes to regional airspace security.

This sale arrives at a time when Türkiye is expanding its defense portfolio. Alongside its American acquisitions, Türkiye is pursuing additional aircraft platforms, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, and continues development of its indigenous fifth-generation fighter, the TAI TF Kaan. These efforts reflect a balanced strategy that combines alliance cooperation with increased national defense autonomy.

Türkiye’s procurement of the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II enhances its air force’s combat capabilities in close-quarters air engagements. The missile’s state-of-the-art features provide critical performance advantages in both traditional and complex threat environments, reinforcing Türkiye’s position as a capable and responsive military actor within NATO.