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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has approved the US$2.15 billion sale of two Aegis Weapon Systems to Japan.
The US said the sale of the systems, alongside the rest of a proposed program, will “contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region”.
The Government of Japan requested to purchase the two Aegis systems as well as:
- two Multi-Mission Signal Processors (MMSP)
- two Command and Control Processor (C2P) Refreshes
- radio navigation equipment
- naval ordnance
- two Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Systems
- Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M) hardware
- two Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)
- US government and contractor representatives’ technical
- engineering and logistics support services
- installation support material, training, construction services for six vertical launch system launcher module enclosures
- communications equipment and associated spares
- classified and unclassified publications and software
- other related elements of logistical and program support
The US said it is “vital” to national interest to assist Japan in “developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defence capability”.
The media release from the DSCA said that Japan will be provided with “an enhanced capability against increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile threats and create an expanded, layered defense of its homeland. Japan, which already has the Aegis in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing this system into its armed forces”, but also insisted that the sale will “not alter the basic military balance in the region”.
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems will be the prime contractor for the Aegis Weapon Systems and Multi-Mission Signal Processors.
Over the next eight years, the US government and contractor representatives will make annual trips to Japan to overlook the implementation of the sale.
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