US and Japan Plan Joint AMRAAM Production for F-35s

The United States and Japan finalised an agreement on 28–29 October 2026 to establish a joint facility in Japan for producing AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the agreement after meeting US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Cebu, the Philippines, during an annual meeting of Southeast Asian defence chiefs.

AMRAAM and Air-to-Air Missiles

The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile with active radar guidance. It can be launched from aircraft and is used by the United States and allied air forces. The joint initiative, called “Operation Supercharge”, will establish a plant for the missiles’ final assembly and inspection; its location in Japan had not been announced by 28 October 2026. The agreement follows efforts that began in July 2024 and forms part of a wider plan to diversify the AMRAAM industrial base and build regional stockpiles for the United States and its allies. In late September 2026, the Pentagon announced a $20.7 billion contract to expand AMRAAM production over seven years.

F-35 and Missile Integration

The AMRAAM is among the missiles used with the F-35 fighter jet programme. The F-35 is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth-generation combat aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin. Its variants include the F-35A, designed for conventional take-off and landing; the F-35B, capable of short take-off and vertical landing; and the carrier-based F-35C. In October 2025, US President Donald Trump announced expedited delivery to Japan of an initial missile batch that included the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder for Japan’s F-35 aircraft.

Defence-Industrial Cooperation

The joint production plan is intended to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance amid concerns about China’s growing military activity in Asia. Producing and assembling missiles in Japan would add a regional facility to the AMRAAM supply chain.

Important Facts for Exams

:

• The AIM-120 AMRAAM is an air-to-air missile that uses active radar guidance.
• The F-35 has three principal variants: F-35A, F-35B and F-35C.
• The AIM-9X Sidewinder is a short-range air-to-air missile.
• The Japan-US Security Treaty provides the framework for the bilateral alliance.

The new facility’s location in Japan had not been announced as of 28 October 2026. Japan’s F-35 missile deliveries include the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder.