U.S approves potential missile sale to Japan 

The United States has approved the potential sale of Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles and related equipment to Japan.

According to a Pentagon statement, the Japanese government has asked to buy as many as 32 of the SM-6 missiles as well as other equipment and services for an estimated cost of $450 million.

“The proposed sale will improve Japan’s Air Defense and Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities against potential adversaries in the region,” the statement said.

The proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region.

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It will also provide the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance with the latest and most advanced capabilities, reducing Japan’s reliance on U.S. Forces for the defense of Japan and further improving U.S.-Japan military interoperability.

Japan will have no difficulty absorbing the missiles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The statement added that the principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD), Tucson, AZ.

Zainab Sa’id