US and Japan Agree to Produce AMRAAM Missiles in Japan

The United States and Japan have agreed to produce AMRAAM missiles in Japan, according to a report. Japanese defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi described the missile as essential for Japan’s F-35 fighters.

Key details

• Mitsubishi Electric and Raytheon had discussed the possibility of assembling AMRAAM missiles in Japan before the reported agreement.
• The report gives no terms or production schedule for the agreement.

Shinjiro Koizumi described the AMRAAM as essential for Japan’s F-35 fighters.

Why it matters

Producing AMRAAM missiles in Japan would connect local manufacturing with a weapon Koizumi has linked to the country’s F-35 fleet. The reported agreement also builds on earlier discussions between Mitsubishi Electric and Raytheon about local assembly.

What happens next

The reported agreement points to a new stage in Japan-based AMRAAM production. What details would you most like to see about the manufacturing plan?