Norwegian firm Kongsberg has signed a contract to supply Japan with the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for Tokyo’s fleet of F-35A fighter aircraft.
This is the fifth contract the Asian country signed to acquire this type of missile, and is worth 1.9 billion Norwegian kroner ($172.97 million).
The deal “underlines the important role of the JSM in Japan’s national defense strategy and is another example of the close and growing relationship between Norway, Japan and Kongsberg,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg.
Features
The JSM is an air-launched cruise missile that incorporates an advanced navigation system to enhance accuracy for long-range missions.
It is developed to fit into the F-35s’ internal weapons bay and is capable of striking targets over 150 nautical miles (172 miles/275 kilometers) away.
It features an advanced imaging infrared seeker that allows sophisticated target recognition capabilities.
Japan first ordered the Kongsberg’s JSM in 2018, while in 2020, it reached a deal with the US to buy 105 F-35 stealth aircraft for an estimated $23.11 billion.
Japan Boosting Air Defense
In recent years, Tokyo has been monitoring possible threats in the proximity of its territories from North Korea, China, and Russia.
Consequently, the country increased its defense budget and included a boost in its air force capability development.
In January, Japan agreed with Northrop Grumman and Mitsubishi Electric to jointly develop a set of technologies to enhance its air systems capabilities.
In September, Tokyo revealed a $288 million budget to develop a new electronic warfare aircraft based on the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol plane.
Defense Capability Build Up Program
Japan’s defense budget for next fiscal year is expected to be 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion), reported the Associated Press.
This is part of the country’s five-year Defense Capability Buildup Program, which includes consistent annual budget increases to reach 2 percent of Japan’s GDP in defense spending by 2027.
