Japan said on Monday it had picked Lockheed Martin Corp to build a powerful new $1.2 billion radar for two ground-based Aegis ballistic missile defence stations meant to guard against North Korean missile strikes. "By using this new radar we will increase our ability to cope with
Japan said on Monday it had picked Lockheed Martin Corp to build a powerful new $1.2 billion radar for two ground-based Aegis ballistic missile defence stations meant to guard against North Korean missile strikes.
«By using this new radar we will increase our ability to cope with missiles on lofted trajectories raising the level of ballistic missile defence,» Japanese Minister of Defence Itsunori Onodera told reporters.
The decision is the latest sign that Japan is forging ahead with plans to reinforce its defences despite a North Korean pledge to denuclearise. The purchase could also help Tokyo ease trade friction with Washington as its key ally threatens to impose tariffs on Japanese auto imports.
The two radars will cost around 130 billion yen ($1.17 billion) each, with maintenance and other operational costs putting the estimated budget at the two sites over 30 years at 466 billion yen, according to a Ministry of Defence news release.
