The US State Department has approved potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of two types of air-to-air missile to Japan, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 15 December 2023.
The proposed sales, which cover 120 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 224 M (EUR 204 M) and 44 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II short-range air-to-air missiles and related equipment worth an estimated USD 59.03 M, have been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Japan already has both of these weapons in its inventory, even though the country makes its own air-to-air missiles.
As well as the 120 AIM-120C-8s and 44 AIM-9Xs, Japan requested three AIM-120C-8 guidance sections, as well as AIM-120 and AIM-9 captive air training missiles (CATMs), missile containers, control section spares; Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); ADU-891 adapter group test sets; munitions support and support equipment; spare and repair parts, consumables, and accessories, and repair and return support; contract logistics support; classified software delivery and support; publications and technical documentation; studies and surveys; US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The principal contractor for the sale of both the AIM-120s and the AIM-9Xs will be RTX Corporation out of its facilities in Tucson, Arizona.
