State Department Approves Standard Missile-3 for Japan

WASHINGTON — The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of eight Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B Missiles and 13 SM-3 Block 2A Missiles for an estimated cost of $561 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a Nov. 19 release.

\The DSCA delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Nov. 16.

Also included in the proposed sale are SM-3 1B and 2A missile canisters, U.S. government and contractor provided technical assistance, engineering and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The proposed sale will provide Japan with an increased ballistic missile defense capability to assist in defending the Japanese homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these additional munitions and support into the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, the release said.

The principal contractor for the SM-3 Block 1B and 2A all-up rounds will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona. The prime contractor for the Mk-21 and Mk-29 canisters and packing, handling, shipping and transportation kits will be BAE Systems, Minneapolis.

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