US and Japan agree to joint missile production facility in Japan
"Operation Supercharge" aims to produce AMRAAM missiles for F-35s amid growing concern over Chinese naval activity
Japan and the United States have agreed to establish a facility in Japan for the joint production of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced Wednesday. The joint effort, called “Operation Supercharge,” will involve a final assembly and inspection plant for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) in Japan; Koizumi said the missiles are essential for F-35 fighter jets.