The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ERs), the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on 28 August 2023.
The proposed sale, which is estimated to be worth USD 104 M (EUR 96.9 M), has been delivered to Congress for final approval.
Japan’s request covers up to 50 AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ER cruise missiles, along with JASSM Anti-jam Global Positioning System Receivers, training missiles, spares and various other aspects of training, testing, technical, logistical and programme support.
Detailing the objectives of the deal, the DSCA stated that the proposed sale “will improve Japan’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing stand-off capability via advanced, long-range strike systems for employment on Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighter aircraft including but not limited to the F-15J”.
As well as the Mitsubishi/Boeing F-15J, the JASSM-ER could also be deployed by the JASDF’s Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and also its Mitsubishi F-2s, which are based on the Lockheed Martin F-16.
The JASSM-ER, which is also made by Lockheed Martin, entered service with the US Air Force (USAF) in 2014 and achieved full operational capability on the USAF’s F-15E in February 2018.
Peter Felstead
