US and Japan Finalize AMRAAM Assembly Deal to Boost F-35 Supply
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced an agreement to establish a final assembly and inspection facility for AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) in Japan. The deal, part of the 'Operation Supercharge' initiative, aims to expand production capacity for the F-35 fighter jet and other platforms amid rising global demand. While the US has already awarded a $20.7 billion contract to Raytheon to increase annual output to at least 1,900 units, the Japanese facility’s location, timeline, and specific industrial partner remain undisclosed. The agreement also includes a separate accord to share technical data to boost production of the SM-3 Block IIA ballistic missile interceptor, reflecting a broader push to strengthen allied defense industrial bases against regional security threats.