The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan for 32 of the latest variant AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). 

The approval, which was announced by the US Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 19 November, includes included are containers, weapon support and support equipment, spare and repair parts, and is valued at approximately $63 million.

According to DSCA statement, the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of 32 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).

Also noted that this proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States.  Japan is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and is a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region.  It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability.

The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. The AMRAAM is in service with the US Air Force (USAF), US Navy (USN), and over 25 US-allied nations.

The AMRAAM missile is a versatile and proven weapon with operational flexibility in a wide variety of scenarios, including air-to-air and surface-launch engagements. In the surface launch role, it is the baseline weapon on the NASAM launcher.

According to Raytheon, in the air-to-air role, no other missile compares to the AMRAAM missile. The weapon’s advanced active guidance section provides aircrew with a high degree of combat flexibility and lethality. Its mature seeker design allows it to quickly find targets in the most combat challenging environments.

Procured by 37 countries including the U.S., the combat-proven AMRAAM missile has been integrated onto the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado and Harrier. The AIM-120C5 and AIM-120C7 missiles are fully integrated onto the F-35 and support the U.S. Marine Corp’s F-35B initial operational capability as the only air-to-air missile qualified on the F-35.