Japan to buy 1,200 U.S. air-to-air missiles in $3.6bn deal

 

 Japan to buy 1,200 U.S. air-to-air missiles in $3.6bn deal

Sale to serve as precursor to local production of AMRAAMs

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. has given Japan the green light to acquire up to 1,200 air-to-air missiles, cementing the defense cooperation between the two allies and paving the way for future local production of the missiles in Japan.

The State Department has approved the Japanese side's request to procure the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and related items for an estimated $3.64 billion, according to Thursday's announcement by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency here.