A RIM-116 surface to air intercept missile fired from a Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launcher. Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gary Granger Jr/commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons) .

The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to Japan, involving Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2B Tactical Missiles and related equipment, at an estimated cost of $360m.  

The sale is expected to enhance Japan’s area defence capabilities, particularly over critical air and sea lines of communication in East Asia and the Western Pacific. 

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Japan has requested to purchase up to 212 RAM Block 2B, RIM-116E.  

The RAM Block 2 missile is designed to counter a variety of threats with its quick-reaction, fire-and-forget capabilities.  

It is a supersonic, lightweight weapon that does not require further guidance after launch. It features a passive radio frequency and infrared guidance systems. 

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The sale also includes non-major defence equipment items such as RAM Guided Missiles Round Pack (GMRP), storage containers, training equipment, operator manuals, and technical documentation, among others. 

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This proposed sale is aligned with the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the US, aiming to improve the security of Japan.  

The US asserts that Japan will seamlessly integrate these missiles into its armed forces and that the sale will not change the fundamental military balance in the region.  

Based in Tucson, RTX is the principal contractor for this sale, and no offset agreements are known to be associated with this potential sale.  

The US Government and contractors will provide engineering, technical, and logistics support.  

Additionally, assistance will be offered for establishing an intermediate level maintenance facility in Japan. 

Furthermore, the implementation will not require additional US or contractor personnel to be assigned to Japan. 

In 2023, Japan announced its intention to acquire 63 Rolling Airframe Missiles Block 2B Tactical Missiles.