The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan for up to 16 AGM-158B/B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ER), along with associated equipment and support.
The proposed sale, valued at an estimated $39 million, will enhance Japan’s ability to address regional threats and reinforce its long-range strike capabilities.
The agreement includes JASSM-ER missiles and a range of non-major defense equipment (non-MDE) such as dummy air training missiles, anti-jam GPS receivers, support equipment, spare parts, and classified and unclassified software and documentation. The package also includes personnel training, transportation, and engineering and logistics support.
This acquisition is designed to equip Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighter jets, including the F-15J and F-35A/B, with advanced stand-off strike capabilities.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated in its notification to Congress.
The long-range capabilities of the JASSM-ER will provide Japan with a strategic edge in addressing evolving threats in the Indo-Pacific. The missiles’ precision and stand-off capabilities enhance the JASDF’s ability to counter adversaries from extended ranges.
Lockheed Martin, based in Orlando, Florida, will serve as the principal contractor for the deal. Currently, no offset agreements have been proposed, and any such arrangements will be determined in negotiations between Japan and Lockheed Martin.
The DSCA emphasized that the sale would not alter the regional military balance or adversely impact U.S. defense readiness. Additionally, the implementation of the sale will not require U.S. personnel to be stationed in Japan.
This deal underscores the enduring alliance between Japan and the United States. It highlights ongoing efforts to modernize Japan’s military capabilities in response to the region’s security dynamics, reaffirming the country’s role as a key U.S. ally in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.