US, Japan reach agreements for AMRAAM assembly, SM-3 production boost: Japanese MoD – Breaking Defense

US, Japan reach agreements for AMRAAM assembly, SM-3 production boost: Japanese MoD  Breaking Defense

The “groundbreaking agreement” on AMRAAM production “will not only ensure the acquisition of equipment needed by both Japan and the United States, but will also strengthen Japan's defense industry base,” said Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. WASHINGTON — The US and Japan have finalized a plan to assemble the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) in Japan amid a crunch for munitions, according to Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. In remarks posted by the Japanese Defense Ministry, Koizumi confirmed the AMRAAM agreement covers “the establishment of a final assembly and inspection facility in Japan,” according to a Google translation. The weapon is “essential” for F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, Koizumi said, which are operated by Washington and Tokyo among other international partners.

“This is a groundbreaking agreement that will not only ensure the acquisition of equipment needed by both Japan and the United States, but will also strengthen Japan’s defense industry base,” Koizumi said Wednesday during a press conference on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting in the Philippines. The defense minister did not share which Japanese industry partner was picked to assemble the missile. Koizumi additionally did not include a timeline for opening the facility, or its expected output. Manufactured by RTX subsidiary Raytheon, the AMRAAM is a key air defense weapon that can