Jan. 30 (UPI) — The U.S. State Department has approved Japan’s $2.15 billion purchase of two land-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense systems.
On Tuesday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale.
Defense News reported it was the first foreign military sales announcement since the end of a 35-day partial government shutdown. The Defense Department was not closed during the shutdown, but the State Department, which was shuttered, needed to approve the deal.
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems is the primary contractor for the Aegis Weapon System and Multi-Mission Signal Processors. General Dynamics will provide the Command and Control Processor Refresh. Also included are radio navigation equipment, ordnance, IFF systems, and construction services for six vertical launch system launcher module enclosures.
