Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the co-production deal following talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during an annual defense summit in Cebu, Philippines. The manufactured missiles are considered essential armaments for the American-made F-35 aircraft operated by both countries. While regional leaders avoided directly naming China, discussions focused on accelerating defensive capabilities to protect a rules-based order. Hegseth also utilized the summit to assure the Philippines of strong deterrence against aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea.
Key points
The United States and Japan are strengthening their defense alliance through local co-pro…: The United States and Japan are strengthening their defense alliance through local co-production of advanced air-to-air weaponry.
Both nations intend to accelerate their deterrence and response capabilities to address a…: Both nations intend to accelerate their deterrence and response capabilities to address an increasingly severe regional security environment.
Regional partners like Australia and the Philippines continue to push for freedom of navi…: Regional partners like Australia and the Philippines continue to push for freedom of navigation and adherence to international maritime law.
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Cebu, Philippines: The United States and Japan have agreed to establish a Japanese facility for the joint production of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, the Japanese defense chief said late Wednesday. It is the latest move by the allies, which have repeatedly expressed alarm over China's growing assertiveness in Asia.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi made the announcement in a news conference Wednesday night in the Philippine central province of Cebu, where he met U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of an annual meeting of Southeast Asian defense chiefs and their major Asian and Western counterparts.
The annual meetings aim to avert a major regional conflict and strengthen defense cooperation. On the sidelines of the meetings, however, the U.S. and China and their allies have often traded criticisms.
The missiles that will be produced as part of a joint effort called "Operation Supercharge" are "essential for the F-35," Koizumi said, without elaborating or providing other details of the agreement. The U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets are one of the world's most advanced aircraft and are also used by the Japanese…
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