The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan of Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2B Tactical Missiles and related equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 24 October 2023.
The sale, worth an estimated USD 74.6 M (EUR 69.9 M), has been forwarded to the US Congress for final approval.
Japan has requested to buy up to 63 RIM-116E RAM Block 2B surface-to-air missiles for the surface combatants of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. A supersonic, lightweight, quick-reaction, fire-and-forget weapon, the RAM system is designed to destroy anti-ship missiles. The RAM Block 2B variant incorporates a new infrared seeker head and a missile-to-missile link between the missile salvo shootings to effectively counter complex raid scenarios of incoming anti-ship missiles and new targets of the latest generation.
Also included in the Japanese package are RAM Guided Missile Round Pack Tri-Pack shipping and storage containers; training equipment; operator manuals and technical documentation; US government and contractor engineering; technical and logistic support services; support for establishment of an Intermediate Level Maintenance Facility (ILMF); and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The principal contractor for the Japanese RAM buy will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense out of its facilities in Tucson, Arizona.
