US, Japan to Co-Produce AMRAAM Air-to-Air Missiles Amid Rising Threats from China, North Korea
Washington, D.C./Tokyo – March 30, 2025 – The United States and Japan have agreed to jointly produce the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) as part of a broader effort to strengthen their defense capabilities amid growing military threats from China and North Korea.
The collaboration, which marks a significant step in U.S.-Japan defense ties, will enhance Japan’s domestic arms production while bolstering the region’s security posture. The move comes as both nations face increasing challenges, including China’s aggressive military expansion in the Indo-Pacific and North Korea’s advancing missile programs.
According to officials from both countries, the agreement will allow Japan to manufacture key components of the AMRAAM, used by fighter jets such as the F-35 and F-15, while ensuring interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces. The missile is a critical asset in modern aerial warfare, capable of engaging enemy aircraft at beyond-visual-range distances.
Japan’s Defense Minister emphasized that the co-production deal aligns with Tokyo’s push to develop a more self-sufficient defense industry, while U.S. officials highlighted the strategic importance of strengthening allied supply chains amid geopolitical tensions.
The deal is expected to accelerate Japan’s integration into advanced weapons development and comes on the heels of increasing military cooperation between the two nations, including joint exercises and technology-sharing agreements.
China and North Korea have yet to issue official responses, but experts predict the agreement will heighten regional tensions as Beijing continues its assertive posture in the South China Sea and North Korea advances its missile and nuclear programs.
The first jointly produced AMRAAMs are expected to be delivered by the end of the decade, further cementing the U.S.-Japan alliance in the face of evolving security threats.
