The US State Department has approved a significant $200 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan, aimed at bolstering the country’s defense capabilities through support for its indigenous Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGP) program.

This deal, which has been certified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), includes a range of services and equipment essential for the development and operationalization of HVGP, a key component of Japan’s growing defense strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Details of the Sale

The proposed sale will provide Japan with the equipment and services necessary for the HVGP program, including support for testing, transportation, and coordination meetings between the US and Japan.

The package is designed to help Japan strengthen its defense capabilities by enhancing its ability to counter current and future threats, particularly those targeting its remote islands.

The HVGP, which has been in development since 2018, is expected to become a critical asset for Japan’s military forces as it improves the country’s stand-off defense capabilities.

The HVGP initiative is intended to equip the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force with a high-speed, long-range weapon system capable of intercepting air and missile threats. This system, which features a hypersonic glide vehicle launched from a booster, is expected to significantly enhance Japan’s military edge in the region.

The weapon has an estimated range of 900 kilometers (559 miles), similar to the US Navy’s Tomahawk missile, and could provide Japan with a potent countermeasure against both conventional and advanced threats in the Indo-Pacific.

Strategic Importance for the US and Japan

This sale marks a pivotal moment in US-Japan defense relations.