The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan of Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles and related equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 31 January 2025.
The proposed FMS, which is worth an estimated USD 900 million (EUR 873 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Japan has requested to buy up to 150 Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles. Non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) items also part of the package include: MK 21 Mod 3 Vertical Launch System (VLS) canisters; component parts and support equipment; continued engineering, integration and test (EI&T) materiel and support required to produce the SM-6 Block I missiles; special test and handling equipment; technical publications; and various aspects of training, engineering, logistics and programme support.
“The proposed sale will improve Japan’s capability to meet current and future threats by allowing the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) to deploy the latest Standard Missile capabilities from their current and future AEGIS Weapon System (AWS)-equipped surface combatants,” the DSCA stated, adding, “The proposed sale will further enhance Japan’s capability to protect Japan and local allied land forces and will significantly improve Japan’s contribution to integrated air missile defence in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The JMSDF currently has eight AWS-equipped warships: four Kongo-class destroyers, two Atago (Improved Kongo)-class destroyers and two Maya (Improved Atago)-class destroyers. However, there are two Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEVs) on order that will serve as ballistic missile defence (BMD) warships.
As well as being BMD interceptors, SM-6 missiles are also capable of anti-air warfare and anti-surface warfare.
The principal contractor for the FMS will be RTX Corporation out of its facilities in Camden, Arkansas.
