US, Japan Agree To Build Missile Facility As China Tensions Rise

The United States and Japan have agreed to establish a missile production facility in Japan as concerns grow over China's military activities in the Indo-Pacific. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the agreement on Wednesday, October 28, after meeting US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Cebu, the Philippines.

The facility will support the assembly and inspection of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), used by fighter aircraft, including the US-made F-35 operated by both countries. The project, called Operation Supercharge, aims to strengthen defence cooperation and secure supplies of critical weapons. Officials have yet to disclose the facility's location, production capacity or construction timeline.

The agreement comes as Washington expands missile production. In September, the US awarded Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, a contract worth up to $20.7 billion for AMRAAM production over five years, with two additional option years. The broader plan aims to raise annual output to at least 1,900 missiles, although this is not the confirmed production target for the Japanese facility.

Koizumi said both countries shared concerns about the worsening regional security situation and agreed to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of their alliance. He added that their discussions were not directed at any specific country.

The two sides also discussed cooperation on the SM-3 Block IIA missile, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, along with integrated air and missile defence and cybersecurity.

Hegseth separately reaffirmed Washington's commitment to regional security during a meeting with Southeast Asian defence ministers hosted by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. He said the US approach was "strong, quiet and clear", aimed at deterring aggression without unnecessary escalation.

The Philippines faces growing confrontations with China in the South China Sea, a vital global shipping route claimed almost entirely by Beijing. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims, while Taiwan also claims parts of the waterway. Washington has pledged to defend the Philippines against armed attacks on its forces, ships and aircraft.

Japan also has a territorial dispute with China over Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea. The missile agreement reflects wider efforts by Washington and its allies to strengthen military readiness amid growing regional tensions.