US govt. approves potential sale of standoff cruise missiles to Japan

The US government has approved the potential sale to Japan of long-range, air-launched cruise missiles and related equipment worth more than 100 million dollars.

The government on Monday notified Congress of the plan to sell Japan Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles-Extended Range, known as JASSM-ER, that are mounted on fighter planes.

JASSM-ER is a standoff missile, meaning it can be launched from outside an enemy's firing range. It has a range of more than 900 kilometers.

This is the first time that its potential sale to Japan has been approved.

The US government has revealed that Japan has requested to buy up to 50 missiles at an estimated cost of 104 million dollars.

The government says that the proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally.

It also says the sale will improve Japan's capability to meet current and future threats by providing standoff capability.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230829_11/