Japan plans to export surface-to-air missile interceptor systems to USAafter Washington made this request after suffering shortages due to aid provided to Ukraine and after a relaxation of Japanese export regulations in this regard.
The Japanese Executive will export systems of Patriot missilesspecific PAC-2 batterieswhich mainly intercept aircraft and cruise missiles, as well as PAC-3 systemsintended to intercept ballistic missiles, to USAholder of the license for these equipment, as detailed today by the state broadcaster NHK.
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Japan will first send systems that are part of the arsenal of its Self Defense Forces (Army) and will begin large-scale coordination with the US side from the beginning of the year to be able to send more equipment.
The Japanese Executive gave the green light last Friday to a new reform of the regulations that govern exports of military equipment and technology, relaxing restrictions, which will allow it to approve cooperation projects with allied nations for the shipment of finished lethal products, something banned until now.
Until the revision, Japan allowed only authorized equipment components to be sent to the United States, but now it will be able to export finished defense equipment produced under foreign licenses to countries that have the patents.
“In the midst of an increasingly severe security environment, the Japan-United States alliance plays an essential role in ensuring the security of Japan and the peace and stability of the international community, including the region of the Indo-Pacific“said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on the matter.
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In said text, Tokyo justifies the sending of missiles, since it considers that it is beneficial for the security of the Asian country and as it will be operated exclusively by the United States, “there is a high degree of certainty that it will be managed appropriately”.
The new export controls still prevent the Asian country from sending weapons to countries that are at war, while it does authorize them to be sent to countries that have the patent, as is the case with the Patriot, while a transfer to a third party nation will require authorization from Tokyo.
