The decision was announced in Darwin by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles during Exercise Pitch Black, the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest multinational air combat exercise.
Photo: Jonathan Tweedy via Instagram
The AIM-260 JATM missiles will be acquired through the Foreign Military Sales process and integrated with three key Royal Australian Air Force platforms:
- F/A-18F Super Hornet — initial integration;
- F-35A Lightning II — integration in a subsequent phase;
- EA-18G Growler — expanding the aircraft’s combat capabilities.
The JATM is intended to complement the capabilities of the existing RTX AIM-120 AMRAAM family of medium- to long-range air-to-air missiles by offering greater range, higher speed, and improved resistance to electronic countermeasures. In practical terms, this will enhance the RAAF’s ability to conduct air combat operations in high-threat environments.
The announcement emphasized that the acquisition is aligned with the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, which call for the development of a layered air and missile defense architecture.
The Lockheed Martin-produced AIM-260 JATM is expected to strengthen deterrence against potential adversaries, complement existing air-to-air and ground-based systems, and improve interoperability with the United States, a key element of Australia’s security policy.