Japan and the United States agreed to establish a facility in Japan for final assembly and inspection of AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the decision after talks with Pete Hegseth in Cebu. The agreement follows more than two years of negotiations over production cooperation, export restrictions and sensitive guidance technology.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced an agreement with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to establish a missile assembly facility in Japan after their 28 October talks in Cebu, in the Philippines. The facility covers final assembly and inspection of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, known as AMRAAM. Koizumi described the weapon as essential for the F-35 combat aircraft. Its location was not announced.[1], [2]
The countries began missile production cooperation in July 2024. Approval took more than two years against the background of Japan’s restrictions on defence exports and the safeguards required for classified missile-guidance technology. The facility agreement belongs to Operation Supercharge, the allies’ initiative to accelerate defence equipment and technology cooperation. The announcement did not specify an opening date or an annual delivery commitment for the Japanese facility.[1]
AMRAAM manufacturer RTX received a five-year Pentagon contract in September with two additional option years and a potential value of 20.7 billion dollars. Missile quantities were not disclosed. The company previously announced a target of at least 1,900 missiles annually. RTX officials identified component and rocket-motor supply constraints and stressed sustained orders for suppliers. AMRAAM is carried by F-35 and F-22 aircraft as well as older US fighters.[1]
