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The Japanese government has requested to purchase munitions and equipment under a possible US$82 million foreign military sale approved by the US State Department.
The US Congress was notified of the possible foreign military sale by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 19 November.
The possible sale includes:
- Up to 28 GBU-53 Small Diameter Bombs-Increment II (SDB-II) all-up-rounds added to a previously implemented case involving 120 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs-Increment I munitions.
- 28 GBU-53 SDB-IIs, 30 KMU-556 Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits for GBU-31.
- 20 KMU-559 JDAM tail kits for GBU-32.
- 24 KMU-572 JDAM tail kits for GBU-38.
- 24 MK-82 500lb general purpose (GP) bombs.
- 30 MK-84 2,000lb GP bombs.
- 21 BLU-110 1,000lb GP bombs and equipment such as FMU-139 joint programmable fuses.
- DSU-38 laser sensors, practice bombs and bomb components, weapons and weapon support equipment.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” according to the statement from the US DSCA.
“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 fighter aircraft.
“Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
“Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to Japan. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
The principal contractors are expected to be Boeing and RTX Corporation.
