Japan to buy new missile interceptor systems

Japan will introduce new missile interceptor systems from the U.S in the wake of North Korea`s latest launch of a long-range rocket.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a defense agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, received a request from the Japanese government Tuesday the purchase of new Aegis combat systems for two Japanese destroyers through a foreign military sales arrangement, and reported the request to Congress. Tokyo apparently pushed for the purchase to cope with the threat of the North’s ballistic missiles. The sale price of the systems will amount to 421 million U.S. dollars, including the cost of systems, parts and training.

The items for purchasing negotiations are two destroyers, namely Atago and Ashikara, which are not equipped with intercepting systems, of the six owned by Japan’s Self-Defense Force. If the two are equipped with new interceptor systems and related equipment, including software developed by Lockheed Martin, Japan’s six Aegis destroyers will be prepared against a ballistic missile attack.

yhchoi65@donga.com