Australia’s F/A-18s to be first foreign fighters with secretive AIM-260 missiles

In an arms race that continues to heat up, Australia is moving to be the first export customer for the new US AIM-260 air-to-air missile designed to counter China and its missiles. The missile joins other advanced Australian projects like the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, hypersonic missiles, and future nuclear-powered AUKUS submarines.

Australia first to operate the ultra-long-range AIM-260 air-to-air missile

Yesterday, Australia announced it will become the first export customer for the new US AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). The Australian Government stated it is investing “almost AUD 736 million (£381 million) to equip the Royal Australian Air Force with new high-speed, long-range air-to-air missiles.”

The announcement was made by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, during the ongoing Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin. Pitch Black is Australia’s premier international air combat exercise and draws dozens of participants from around the world.

The AIM-260 JATM is being purchased via the US’s foreign military sales (FMS) and will be first integrated into the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets.

Later, there are plans to add it to the RAAF’s fleet of 72 F‑35A Lightning IIs and, interestingly, to its 12 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets. They may also be integrated with the future MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft, the uncrewed Hawk-sized drone developed by Boeing Australia.

The purchase is part of wider Australian plans to invest up to AUD 36 billion ($ billion) over the next decade in Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance.

What is known about the highly classified AIM-260

The move by Australia to acquire the AIM-260 is widely seen as an effort to counter China and its growing suite of increasingly capable air-to-air missiles.

The capabilities of the AIM-260 remain highly classified, although it is known that it is intended to succeed the AMRAAM. The AMRAAM is currently the RAAF’s primary beyond visual range air-to-air munition used by its Super Hornets and F-35As.

The next-generation missile is believed to have been in testing for years already. The first public image of the AIM-260 first emerged in May 2026 with a US Navy F/A-18F from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 (VX-31) carrying the munitions on its fuselage station.

The War Zone writes, “Although official specifications have never been released, the AIM-260 is reportedly designed to hit targets out to at least 120 miles, if not substantially further.”

China’s PL-15 & PL-16 air-to-air missiles

Continuous development of China’s air-to-air missiles has eroded the advantages that high-end US missiles previously enjoyed.

The range and success of Pakistan’s PL-15E air-to-air missiles fired from its Chinese-supplied J-10C fighter jets that reportedly shot down multiple Indian fighter jets in 2025 have been the subject of intense discussion. That said, it is believed the initial Indian strike package was poorly planned, and India quickly adapted.

I recently did a post comparing the AIM-260 to the PL-15 and got absolutely slammed in the comments. People were quick to point out that the PL-15 is no longer the latest Chinese hardware and that the PL-16 is what I should actually be worried about. Fair enough. I did a little… https://t.co/Hc5JfihLBD pic.twitter.com/jdJ4Dn2j2Y

— Air Power (@RealAirPower1) May 19, 2026

Air Power stated he did a review of the PL-15, only to be “slammed in the comments” as it was pointed out that the PL-16 is now the most advanced Chinese air-to-air missile. The account responded, “Fair enough. I did a little digging, and it turns out they weren’t wrong. It’s a big-stick in a small package.”

He said the PL-16 is all about miniaturization, taking the “massive 200–280 km range of its predecessor and packs it into a much thinner, lighter airframe with folding fins.”

This allows it to be more easily accommodated in the Chinese J-20 and J-35 internal bays, increasing the count from four PL-15s to six PL-16s. The missile is about addressing the magazine depth that plagues 5th-generation fighters forced to carry munitions internally.

He notes, “The missile uses a high-performance dual-pulse motor and an advanced AESA seeker built to burn through modern electronic jamming… It makes it a direct rival to the American AIM-260…”

Air Power also points out that it appears China is not so much focused on winning ‘dogfights’ with Western jets; it is more interested in targeting the enablers like tankers and AEW&Cs. This is a key reason why the US Air Force is rushing to move its AEW&C capability into space.