The US State Department has greenlighted a potential $39-million sale of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles Extended Range (JASSM-ER) to Japan.
Tokyo requested to purchase up to sixteen AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ERs along with AGM-158 JASSM dummy air training missiles and containers, JASSM anti-jam GPS receivers, personnel training, and relevant accessories, logistics, and program support.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the missiles will be equipped on the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) combat aircraft, including the F-15J and F-35A/B, to provide stand-off capability via advanced, long-range strike systems.
“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 stated.
In August 2023, Japan procured 50 JASSM-ERs worth $104 million to be fitted onto the JASDF’s upgraded F-15 fighter jets.
This additional advanced weapons acquisition further enhances the two countries’ defense cooperation and military interoperability amid threats posed by increasing North Korean missile threats and China’s military expansion.
