The United States has authorized the sale of additional air-to-surface missiles and related equipment to Japan, valued at nearly $39 million, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The sale includes extended-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM-ER), designed to strike targets from beyond enemy defense ranges.
This decision aligns with Japan's ongoing efforts to enhance its defense capabilities amid escalating security threats from China and North Korea.
In 2022, Japan made a significant policy shift by revising its defense strategy to include counterstrike capabilities, adhering to its pacifist Constitution.
The new purchase includes up to 16 missiles, which will be deployed on Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force F-15s and other fighter jets.
The DSCA stated that the deal supports U.S. foreign policy and national security by bolstering the defense of a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region, contributing to regional stability and economic progress.
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