The United States and Japan finalized an agreement to establish a final assembly and checkout facility in Japan for RTX’s AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the deal after meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on October 28, 2026.
The plan, under discussion since July 2024, is intended to strengthen Japan’s domestic defense industry and ensure a stable missile supply. The missiles are considered essential for Japan’s F-35 fighter fleet.
The facility is expected to bolster the defense supply chain for both nations amid rising regional security concerns. Its location has not been announced.