The US will arm Japan's modernised F-15J Eagle fighters with AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ER missiles with a launch range of nearly 1,000 km

Japan's fourth-generation F-15J Eagle fighters will be armed with US long-range missiles. The potential deal has been approved by the US State Department.

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The decision was announced on the official website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The potential sale must be approved by the US Congress within 30 days.

Japan wants to buy up to 50 AGM-158B/B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles Extended Range (JASSM-ER) missiles. It has a maximum launch range of nearly 1,000 kilometres. The warhead has a weight of 450kg. The deal is valued at $104 million.

The Land of the Rising Sun wants to arm fourth-generation F-15J Eagle fighters with JASSM-ER missiles. Japan has about 100 aircraft that have undergone the Multi-Stage Improvement Programme (MSIP). Fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters can also be carried.

Each F-15J is equipped with two Pratt & Whitney F100 engines. Japan intends to scrap another 100 aircraft that have not been modernised and sell 200 of the propulsion systems. A potential buyer is Indonesia.

Source: DSCA