Japan To Assemble AMRAAM Missiles As U.S. Moves To Dramatically Boost AIM-120 Production
The United States and Japan will establish a facility in Japan for the final assembly and inspection of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), advancing a bilateral effort to expand munitions production as demand rises across the U.S. and allied military forces.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the agreement following discussions with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Cebu, Philippines. The facility will operate under the broader Operation Supercharge initiative, which seeks to accelerate cooperation between the two countries on defense equipment and technology.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shakes hands with Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi at the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Cebu, Philippines, on October 28, 2026. DOW photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brycen Guerrero
“We finally reached an agreement on the establishment of a final assembly and inspection facility in Japan for the AMRAAM air-to-air missile, which is essential for the F-35,” Koizumi said, according to a translation of his remarks published by Air & Space Forces Magazine.
Koizumi described the agreement as a means of ensuring access to equipment required by both countries while strengthening Japan’s domestic defense industrial base. At this point, the facility’s location, construction timeline, anticipated production capacity, and Japanese industrial partner are yet to be disclosed.
U.S. Air Force weapons load crew secure an AMRAAM onto a bomb lift truck at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 23, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis
The announcement follows a September award to RTX subsidiary Raytheon for a five-year AMRAAM production contract, with options for two additional years, valued at up to $20.7 billion. Under a framework agreement announced in February, Raytheon is working toward annual production of at least 1,900 missiles. That figure represents the overall production target, of which the future Japanese facility will account for a share. AIM-120s can cost over $1 million per unit, depending on variant.
The new arrangement also comes after more than two years of discussions over Japanese participation in AMRAAM manufacturing. The initiative emerged in 2024, followed by a feasibility study supported by Mitsubishi Electric and Raytheon. By April 2026, discussions had expanded to include possible Japanese production of circuit card assemblies in addition to final assembly and inspection.
New Production Node For A High-Demand Missile
The AIM-120 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile is used by a wide range of U.S. and allied combat aircraft, including the F-35. Examples of the stealth fighter are operated by U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps units stationed in Japan, as well as by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Both the U.S. Air Force and JASDF also operate F-15 variants in Japan, for which AMRAAM is similarly a primary weapon.
A first F-15EX Eagle II designated for Kadena Air Base, Japan, takes off at Boeing’s St. Louis facility. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez
AMRAAM is also employed by ground-based air-defense systems, including the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). This system protects the U.S. Capital Region and over a dozen countries around the globe. It has been extensively battle-proven in Ukraine over nearly three years of operations.
Raytheon says the weapon is fielded by 44 countries and operates across 14 platforms. Its continued importance to fighter operations and air defense has made expanding manufacturing capacity a priority as the United States seeks to replenish inventories and meet soaring international demand. This is in stark contrast to the situation only a few years ago, when global AMRAAM stockpiles were viewed as plentiful.
Since then, AMRAAMs have been used extensively in the U.S. and allied campaign against Houthi drones, as well as in engagements over Syria and Iraq during efforts to defend Israel against multiple Iranian attacks. Ukraine has also expended substantial numbers of these missiles to counter Russian drones and cruise missiles, employing them through NASAMS air defense systems and, more recently, its F-16 fighters. These munitions have been supplied by the United States and NATO allies.
The wreckage of an AIM-120C-8 missile, apparently found in the aftermath of a Russian air attack on Dnipro in Ukraine. via Dnipro Main News/Telegram
The new U.S. production contract covers Lots 41 through 47 and includes advanced AIM-120D-3 variants featuring modernized processors and software-based electronic-warfare countermeasures.
With a scramble now on to find new ways to increase the global AMRAAM supply, RTX has said it invested in manufacturing equipment, workforce expansion, and supplier capacity to
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