U.S. to Sell 1,200 AIM-120 (D-3/C-8) AMRAAM Missiles to Japan in $3.64 Billion Deal

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment to Japan.

The estimated value of the sale to Japan, involving up to 1,200 AIM-120 (D-3/C-8) AMRAAM missiles, is $3.64 billion (RM16.38 billion).

In a press release dated January 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the Government of Japan has requested to purchase the following:

• Up to 1,200 AIM-120 (D-3/C-8) Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM)

• Up to 20 AIM-120D-3 guidance sections, equipped with precise positioning provided by the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (M-Code)

• Up to four AIM-120C-8 guidance sections

The primary contractor for the $3.64 billion sale to Japan is RTX (formerly Raytheon), headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.

According to the Department of Defense, the proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of Japan, a key ally that plays a crucial role in maintaining political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This sale will strengthen Japan’s capability to address current and future threats by defending its homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing and integrating these articles and services into its armed forces,” the Department stated.

As of December 2024, approximately 55,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Japan.

Late last month, the Japanese government allocated $55.1 billion (RM247 billion) in defense spending for the next fiscal year to bolster defenses against threats, including those posed by China.

AIM-120 AMRAAM Specifications

The AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile is a key component of modern aerial combat. Below are its specifications:

• Length: 3.66 meters

• Diameter: 178 millimeters

• Weight: 152 kilograms

• Operational Range:

  • AIM-120C-5: Up to 105 kilometers

  • AIM-120D: Up to 180 kilometers

• Maximum Speed: Mach 4 (four times the speed of sound)

• Guidance System: Inertial Navigation System (INS) with active radar for target acquisition and locking

• Warhead: High-explosive blast fragmentation, weighing 18 kilograms

These specifications highlight the AIM-120’s high speed and long-range precision, making it a highly effective missile for engaging distant targets.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Fighter Jets
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) operates a fleet of advanced fighter jets for air defense and military operations.

Key fighter jets in service include:

• F-15J/DJ Eagle – A Japanese variant of the U.S.-made F-15 Eagle, produced under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The F-15DJ is a two-seat trainer variant. JASDF operates approximately 203 F-15J units and 20 F-15DJ units.

• Mitsubishi F-2 – A multirole fighter developed jointly by Japan and the United States, based on the F-16 design but with enhanced capabilities. JASDF operates around 61 Mitsubishi F-2 jets, including single-seat (F-2A) and two-seat (F-2B) variants.

• F-35A Lightning II – A fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter. Japan has ordered 42 F-35A jets, with several units already in operation and the remainder expected to be delivered soon.

Additionally, Japan is upgrading 70 F-15J fighters to the “Japan Super Interceptor” (JSI) variant, enhancing avionics and combat capabilities.

With this diverse and modern fleet, Japan maintains a strong air defense posture, ensuring national security and contributing to regional stability in the Asia-Pacific. – DSA