Japan Gets U.S. Nod to Buy AMRAAMs amid “Rising Security Threats”

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of AIM-120C-7/8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Japan of $293 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Japan has requested to buy 150 AMRAAMs, 3 AMRAAM Guidance Sections as well as related equipment and support.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, AZ.

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AMRAAMs are designed for use in a range of scenarios, including air-to-air and surface-launch engagements. It is integrated onto the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado and Harrier.

The sale approval comes at a time when the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and the Russian Navy increased deployments of aircraft and warships close to Japan’s territorial waters. The PLA Navy and the Russian Pacific fleet have, since mid-June, sent two separate surface action groups around the Japanese home islands.

“The proposed sale will improve Japan’s capability to meet current and future threats by defending the Japanese homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there,” the DSCA said.

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Japan’s defense minister Nobou Kishi said last month, “The fact that about 10 Russian and Chinese ships sail around Japan on the same route in a short period of time is a display of the military presence of both countries around Japan.”

He added, “The Ministry of Defense will continue to pay close attention to the trends of the Russian Navy and the Chinese Navy in the waters around Japan, and will make every possible effort to carry out warning and surveillance activities in the sea and airspace around Japan.”

In its annual defense white paper issued July 22, Japan warned of escalating national security threats, including repercussions from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Chinese intimidation of Taiwan, and vulnerable technology supply chains.