US Greenlights $3.64 Billion Missile Sale to Japan

The United States has approved the sale of advanced AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles to Japan, a deal valued at $3.64 billion, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

In a statement released Thursday, the DSCA announced, "The State Department has decided approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.64 billion.”

Japan has requested the procurement of 1,200 AIM-120 missiles, bolstering its military capabilities as the country intensifies its defense modernization efforts.

The deal aligns with Japan's ambitious defense strategy, which includes increasing total defense spending to 43 trillion yen (about $273 billion) by 2027. This marks a steady annual growth in defense allocations from 2023 onwards.

However, funding remains a contentious issue. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has proposed raising corporate taxes to support the expanded budget, a move that faces resistance within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The missile sale underscores the deepening defense collaboration between the U.S. and Japan, highlighting their shared commitment to regional security and countering emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region.