Japan Buys Newer AMRAAM

The State Department has cleared the way for Japan to upgrade its inventory of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles by approving the foreign military sale of C7-model AIM-120 missiles.

A Dec. 12 notice from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency states that Japan wants to purchase a small quantity of AIM-120C7 missiles, the latest variant approved for export, for an estimated $33 million.

The deal would include 17 missiles and two training devices as well as associated equipment, technical documentation and logistics support. The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force currently fields an earlier C5-model missile.

The U.S. Air Force is leading the development of a new AMRAAM, the AIM-120D -- which improves the weapon's accuracy and networking capability and adds a two-way data link.

AMRAAM is produced by Raytheon. According to the company, 36 countries buy AIM-120 missiles for air combat and defense.

The DSCA notice states the proposed sales meets the objectives of the 1960 U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.