The US State Department has given the green light to a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) worth US$3.64 billion to equip the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) with up to 1,200 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs).
This monumental sale, announced on January 2, is one of the largest exports of the missile system to a foreign nation.
The approval, which still requires Congressional authorization, will drastically boost Japan’s air defense capabilities, with the approved package including both the C-8 and D-3 variants of the AMRAAM.
Alongside the missiles, the agreement covers an array of associated equipment and services necessary for their deployment and operation.
In addition to the 1200 missiles, the transaction includes 20 AIM-120D-3 guidance sections, including precise positioning provided by Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code, and up to four AIM-120C-8 guidance sections.
The deal also involves non-Major Defense Equipment (non-MDE) items, including propulsion systems, warheads, Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), missile containers, and control sections.
Moreover, the sale includes vital munitions support equipment such as the CMBRE (Common Munitions Built-in Test Reprogramming Equipment), as well as testing and repair tools and services to ensure the operational readiness of the AMRAAMs.
This new FMS (Foreign Military Sale) follows a previous request by Japan in December 2023, which sought the purchase of 120 AIM-120C-8s at an estimated cost of US$224 million.
The 2023 sale also included guidance sections and associated support equipment. With this new approval, Japan can bolster its air defense capabilities as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen national security.
Raytheon Technologies (RTX), the manufacturer of the AMRAAM, will be the principal contractor for this sale. However, according to reports from the Asia Nikkei, RTX may face challenges in meeting the demand for 1,200 missiles.
As a result, there is speculation that some of the production might be outsourced to Japan, allowing the country to fulfill the order more efficiently.
The details in DSCA announcements are not set in stone; quantities and cost estimates often change during the negotiation process. These announcements also initiate a 30-day window during which lawmakers can potentially block the deal, though this is unlikely due to the strong military ties between the US and Japan.
A Missile With Proven Combat Record
The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is widely regarded as one of the world’s most advanced and battle-tested air-to-air missiles.
With over 15 confirmed kills in combat scenarios across Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, India, and Syria, it has earned its reputation as a reliable weapon for modern aerial warfare.
Its all-weather, beyond-visual-range (BVR) capability allows pilots to engage targets at extended distances without manual tracking post-launch, thanks to its fire-and-forget technology.
The AIM-120D-3, developed under the “form, fit, function refresh” (F3R) program, is the latest iteration of the AMRAAM. This version addresses obsolescence in the guidance system of the earlier AIM-120D model.
Its upgrades include modernized circuit cards and processors that enable the re-hosting of legacy software, a transformation driven by model-based systems engineering and digital technologies, according to RTX Corporation, the missile’s manufacturer.
The AIM-120C-8, another F3R variant, is designed exclusively for export. It mirrors the capabilities of the AIM-120D-3 but is tailored for international partners.
Both variants feature updated guidance systems optimized for high-end aerial combat, making them essential tools in potential conflicts involving advanced adversaries like China.
The missile is faster, smaller, lighter, and excels in engaging low-altitude targets. With an active radar seeker, an inertial reference unit, and a micro-computer system, the AIM-120 is less reliant on an aircraft’s fire-control system, giving it a distinct operational edge.
As the missile approaches its target, its onboard active radar locks on to ensure precise guidance. This allows pilots to simultaneously fire multiple missiles at different targets and perform evasive maneuvers while the AMRAAMs track and engage autonomously.
The missile also features advanced electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities, which enable it to hone in on jamming signals that adversaries use to deflect its trajectory.
The AMRAAM’s design allows seamless integration with a variety of platforms. Japan, a key US ally in the Indo-Pacific, operates three fighter types capable of carrying the AMRAAM: the Boeing F-15J, Lockheed Martin F-35, and Mitsubishi F-2.
Tokyo is also upgrading around 70 of its F-15Js to the advanced “Japan Super Interceptor” standard, and its Mitsubishi F-2 fleet will be replaced by the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) aircraft—a joint venture with Italy and the UK—by the 2030s.
The F-35 can carry up to four missiles internally in its main weapons bay. The US is working on a “Sidekick” program to boost the F-35A and F-35C’s capacity to carry six AMRAAMs internally.
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