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US approves $3.3 bln potential sale of SM-3 missile interceptors to Japan

27 August 2019 23:56 (UTC +04:00)

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency explained earlier the proposed sale would help US interests with Japan by developing and maintaining a strong and effective defence capability in the region, APA reports citing Sputnik.

The contractor for the SM-3 Block IB missiles is Raytheon Missile Systems.

The SM-3 Block IIA is being developed cooperatively by the US and Japan and operates as part of the AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defence system, the naval component of the US Ballistic Missile Defence System.

The SM-3 interceptor is already a critical part of a NATO missile defence system in Europe, with interceptors deployed on US Navy ships off the continent's coast, according to the manufacturer Raytheon.