US defense contractor Raytheon announced this week that it has signed a $250 million contract with Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Company (MELCO) to authorize Mitsubishi Electric to produce advanced missiles in Japan. This move will significantly enhance Japan’s maritime defense capabilities and defense industry autonomy, and further strengthen the deterrent power of the US-Japan alliance in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the agreement, Raytheon will provide Mitsubishi Electric with missile components, parts, and technical support for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Block 2 (ESSM Block 2) to support local assembly operations in Japan.
Prior to this, the collaboration between these two companies has spanned over 50 years, covering core technologies such as radars and missiles. This authorized production is seen as the latest milestone in their partnership, representing Japan’s shift from a mere weapons procurement country to a key producer of air defense missiles.
Barbara Borgonovi, President of Raytheon’s Naval Power Business, stated, “This innovative authorized production program is the culmination of decades of partnership. With Japan investing in this critical weapon system, it will strengthen its defense capabilities and solidify the vital security alliance between our two countries.”
ESSM Block 2 is a medium-range missile launched from ships, characterized by high maneuverability and the use of advanced dual-mode guidance heads with active radar homing capabilities. This means that the missile can autonomously track targets after launch, without the need for continuous illumination from the ship’s radar, significantly enhancing the capability to intercept multiple aerial threats.
Compared to its predecessor, the new model missile has significantly improved guidance accuracy, anti-jamming capabilities, and digital processing efficiency, and supports continuous performance enhancement through software upgrades to adapt to increasingly complex battlefield environments.
Japan is one of the 12 member countries of the NATO SeaSparrow Consortium, which collectively manages the development, production, and maintenance programs of the ESSM missile.
This authorized production not only deepens Japan’s role within the consortium but also helps establish a more resilient defense supply chain in the Indo-Pacific region.
Raytheon points out that this type of missile can be integrated into various naval combat systems and vertical launch platforms, playing a crucial role in enhancing the overall combat capability of allied fleets.
In addition to Japan, the Australian Navy has introduced ESSM Block 2 into Hobart Class destroyers and Anzac Class frigates; Denmark allocated approximately $133 million in May this year to expedite the procurement of this type of missile to strengthen its naval firepower, demonstrating countries’ active efforts to expand joint operational capabilities.
According to Raytheon, the first batch of ESSM Block 2 missiles assembled in Japan is expected to be operational within a few years. This authorized production case not only helps Japan acquire critical technology and maintenance experience but also further strengthens Japan’s position as a key defense supplier in the Indo-Pacific region. The signing of this agreement is also considered a crucial step for the US and Japan to jointly reinforce the defense resilience of the First Island Chain.