Japan has asked to buy up to twenty-eight GBU-53 Small Diameter Bombs Increment II all-up-rounds, which will be added to an earlier case valued at 81.04 million USD. The latest notification covers a combined total of up to one-hundred-twenty GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs Increment I, twenty-eight GBU-53 SDB-IIs, thirty KMU-556 JDAM tail kits for the GBU-31, twenty KMU-559 JDAM tail kits for the GBU-32 and twenty-four KMU-572 JDAM tail kits for the GBU-38.
The package also includes twenty-four MK-82 general purpose bombs, thirty MK-84 general purpose bombs and twenty-one BLU-110 general purpose bombs. Additional non-MDE items comprise FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, DSU-38 laser sensors, practice bombs and components, weapon support equipment, major modifications, maintenance support, training aids, spare parts, consumables, classified software, documentation, transport, studies and US Government and contractor support services.
According to the US announcement, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region.” The State Department emphasised that the package reinforces Washington’s commitment to strengthening allied defence capabilities.
The United States assessed that “The proposed sale will improve Japan’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing stand-off capability via advanced, long-range strike systems for employment on Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter aircraft.” It also confirmed that Japan will be able to integrate the weapons without difficulty.
The DSCA stated that “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” This reflects the US view that the transfer supports deterrence while maintaining strategic stability.
The principal contractors are Boeing and RTX Corporation, both headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. No offset arrangements have been proposed at this stage, with any potential offset to be defined later between Japan and the contractors.
Source: DSCA.
