The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan of more Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ERs), the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 15 January 2025.
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 39 million (EUR 37.5 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Japan requested to buy up to 16 additional AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ERs, having been approved to buy 50 of the weapons on 28 August 2023. The Japan Ministry of Defense ordered those JASSM-ERs on 4 July 2024.
Additional non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) items in the latest package include: AGM-158 JASSM dummy air training missiles and containers; JASSM Anti-jam Global Positioning System Receivers; munitions support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; integration and test support and equipment; software and technical documentation; and various other aspects of training, technical, transport, engineering, logistics and programme support.
“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 and F-35A/B,” the DSCA stated.
The principal contractor for this FMS will be Lockheed Martin out of its facilities in Orlando, Florida.
