The United States government has authorized the potential sale of an additional batch of RIM-116E Block 2B missiles for Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) AEGIS destroyer fleet. This information comes from the notification submitted by the U.S. Department of State to Congress for review and approval of the military equipment sale through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Japan’s destroyer fleet is currently organized around three classes of ships built and designed based on the U.S. AEGIS combat management system: the Kongo, Atago, and the newer Maya class. Along with substantial air defense capabilities, using SM-2 and ballistic missile SM-3 missiles, these destroyers have point-defense weaponry comprising the Phalanx CIWS 20mm systems and RIM-116E missile systems.
Given this context, the Japanese government requested the U.S. to purchase a new batch of RIM-116E Block 2B air defense missiles, presumably to ensure and increase stockpiles of this type of armament for its destroyer fleet.
In total, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Japan’s request involves acquiring 212 RIM-116E Block 2B missiles. The package, valued at $360 million, includes support and assistance equipment, with RTX (Raytheon) as the primary contractor should the FMS transaction be finalized. Notably, this authorization follows another in October 2023 for the same missiles, though for a smaller quantity. On that occasion, the State Department approved a total of 63 missiles of the same type.
The State Department highlighted: “The proposed sale will enhance Japan’s ability to address current and future threats by providing significantly improved area defense capabilities along critical air and sea lines of communication in East Asia and the Western Pacific. It is vital to U.S. national interests that Japan develops and maintains a strong and ready self-defense capability. Japan will have no difficulty integrating these items into its armed forces.”
Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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