Japan Pursuing Large AMRAAM Buy 13/01/2025 | Mike Rajkumar

Japan will proceed with a massive Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) purchase following the recent U.S. State Department approval for the sale of up to 1,200 AIM-120 (D-3/C-8) missiles.

The estimated total cost for the deal has been valued at approximately US$3.64 billion as per the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which also stated that there were no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. When formally contracted, this will be Japan’s first order for AIM-120 (D-3/C-8) missiles. It already has AIM-120C-7/C-8 missiles in service.

“The proposed sale will improve Japan’s capability to meet current and future threats by defending its homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” the DSCA said in its notification.

The new AIM-120 (D-3/C-8) missiles will be fitted on the Japan Air Self Defence Force’s (JASDF) F-15J/DJs, F-2A/Bs and F-35As, as also its soon to be delivered F-35Bs.

The AIM-120D-3 is the newest variant of Raytheon’s AMRAAM developed as part of the missiles Form, Fit, Function Refresh (3F) programme and includes 15 upgraded circuit cards making use of the latest System Improvement Program-3F software. The AIM-120 C-8 variant is designed for international customers.

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