October 27, 2009 :: Kyodo :: News
Kyodo News is reporting that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates asked Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa to reverse a long-standing Japanese precedent of non-exportation of offensive military technology last week. Gates supposedly asked Kitazawa to consider exporting Block IIA SM-3 interceptors to western Europe. The Block IIA is a highly accurate upgrade to the existing SM-3 interceptors that the U.S. has been developing with Japan under a December 2004 agreement on bilateral missile defense cooperation.
Japan is working on the infrared sensor for the upgraded SM-3 system, while the U.S. is responsible for the kill vehicle. Planned deployment of the Block IIAs is currently slated for 2018. The SM-3 Block I interceptor forms the backbone of America's Aegis ship-based missile defense capability; the Japanese started outfitting their sea-based missile defense system with these SM-3s in 2007.
The Defense Department wants an answer by the end of 2010. (Article)
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