Japan and US strike deal on missile assembly as Tokyo expands long-range arsenal

Tokyo and Washington have reached an agreement to establish a production line in Japan for the construction of advanced American air-to-air missiles, known as the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). These missiles are crucial for equipping Japan's F-35 fighter jets. The location of the assembly facility remains undisclosed.

This move signifies Japan's transition away from its traditional post-war pacifist stance on defense. The latest version of the AMRAAM, the AIM-120D, boasts enhanced GPS guidance, increased range, improved lethality, and better protection against electronic interference.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun expressed concern, stating that Japan's actions should not target or harm the interests of other nations. He highlighted that Japan's current administration has been repeatedly breaching international and domestic laws, challenging the established post-war international order. This announcement follows Japan's recent defense white paper, which outlined plans to utilize long-range stand-off missiles in potential conflicts.

The document also committed to procuring foreign-made stand-off missiles while boosting production of domestic alternatives. Tokyo's defense strategy is driven by China's military expansion, which the document refers to as the nation's "greatest strategic challenge."

In response to Japan's growing military capabilities, the country has been exploring overseas training sites for live-fire exercises. Tokyo has recently inspected potential locations in India for testing surface-to-ship missiles and autonomous attack drones. This effort is driven by challenges in training personnel for the use of long-range missiles.

The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) has also deployed the indigenous Type 25 surface-to-ship missile to Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, putting parts of the Chinese mainland within the missile's operational range of about 1,000 kilometers.