U.S. and Japanese defense leaders reached an agreement, announced October 28 and reported more widely October 29, to establish a final assembly and inspection facility in Japan for AMRAAM air-to-air missiles used by F-35 aircraft.
What was agreed
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described an agreement with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following talks at a regional defense meeting in Cebu, Philippines. It calls for an AMRAAM final assembly and inspection facility in Japan. The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile is an air-to-air weapon used by aircraft including the F-35.
What is—and is not—known
The announcement describes a future industrial arrangement, not an operating factory. Public accounts did not specify the site, production start date, total capacity or final price. Final assembly and inspection are not the same as manufacturing every component domestically; suppliers and export authorizations remain relevant.
Why the allies want it
U.S. and Japanese officials present the proposal as a way to increase defense industrial resilience, improve missile availability and strengthen deterrence. Both nations are concerned about pressure on ammunition inventories and possible conflict contingencies in the Indo-Pacific. Japanese officials also cited nearby Chinese naval activity.
The regional context
China has expanded its military capabilities, while disputes persist around Taiwan and the East and South China seas. The allies argue more dependable munitions supplies can discourage coercion. Other observers may worry that additional arms production worsens regional suspicion or competitive military buildup; these are strategic assessments rather than confirmed outcomes.
Implementation questions
A Japanese facility will still require detailed agreements, industry participation, skilled workers, components, regulatory authorizations and sustained funding. Reports also discuss technical-information sharing intended to help expand SM-3 interceptor production, a related but separate program; it should not be mistaken for producing SM-3 missiles at the proposed AMRAAM facility.