The U.S. State Department has approved the sale to Japan of two Aegis Weapon Systems and other associated equipment for an estimated cost of $2.15 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a release.
The government of Japan requested to buy two AEGIS Weapon Systems, two Multi-Mission Signal Processors and two Command and Control Processor Refreshes and other related equipment, the Tuesday, January 29 release said.
Also included in the sale is radio navigation equipment, naval ordnance, two Identification Friend or Foe systems, Global Command and Control System-Maritime hardware, and two Inertial Navigation Systems.
U.S. government and contractor technical, engineering and logistics support services, training, construction services for six vertical launch system launcher module enclosures, communications equipment, and other support are also included.
The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.
“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security 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,” DSCA said. “It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability.”
“This proposed sale will provide the Government of Japan with an enhanced capability against increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile threats and create an expanded, layered defense of its homeland,” DSCA added.
A U.S. government official told Defense News that the two systems are for Japan’s Aegis Ashore system, planned to be operational by 2023.
Aegis made up a significant portion of Japan’s record $47 billion defense budget agreed in December. The defense funding will cover the cost of introducing Japan’s Aegis Ashore land-based missile interceptor system.
In December, the U.S. Navy successfully engaged and intercepted an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile target in space during an test of the Aegis Combat System. This test used a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptor, which is being developed by the U.S. and Japan.
The Aegis Combat System is a Lockheed Martin-made integrated naval weapons system that uses powerful computer and radar technology to track targets and guide weapons.
The system is composed of the Aegis Weapon System (AWS), the Aegis Anti-Aircraft Warfare (AAW) capability, along with the Phalanx Close In Weapon System (CIWS), and the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System for missiles.
AWS comprises the AN/SPY-1 radar, the Mark 99 Fire Control System, the weapon control system, and the Command and Decision Suite.
It can incorporate the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System which was developed to provide missile defense against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles, destroying them after boost phase and prior to reentry using Standard Missiles.
Aegis is used by the U.S., Japan, Norway, South Korea and Australia. Last June, the State Department approved the sale of Aegis systems to Spain.
US shoots down intermediate-range ballistic missile in space
