Japan To Export Locally-Made Patriot Missiles To The U.S.

The Japanese government has informally decided to export Patriot ground-based interceptor missiles manufactured domestically under license from US firms to the US, as revealed by sources close to the matter, Nozomi Gemma reported for Mainichi Japan.

Currently, the export of air-defense radars to the Philippines is the only instance of Japan transferring completed defense equipment overseas under the three principles.

The planned export of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors will mark the first time Japan will export completed weapons aimed at directly killing or injuring people and destroying targets since the country introduced its three principles on defense equipment transfers in 2014.

The government is expected to soon convene a National Security Council meeting and approve the plan.

Japan's "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology" lays out rules regarding defense equipment exports, including weapons, while prohibiting military supplies from being transferred to a country that is party to a conflict.

Currently, the export of air-defense radars to the Philippines is the only instance of Japan transferring completed defense equipment overseas under the three principles. The latest move to export weapons signals a major shift in Japan's defense equipment transfer policy.

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