The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB missiles to Japan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 9 April.
In a package worth $1.15 billion, Japan has requested up to 56 SM-3 Block IB missiles. Also included are missile canisters and related elements of logistics and programme support.
The SM-3 Block IB will provide Japan with increased ballistic missile defence capability.
If the sale goes ahead, the prime contractor for the SM-3 Block IB all-up rounds will be Raytheon Missile Systems and BAE Systems will be the prime contractor for the canisters.
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
Connect with us on socials
