The UK Space Agency has approved Astroscale UK’s space debris removal mission concept, called Clearing Outer Space Mission through Innovative Capture. COSMIC involves the development of a spacecraft with a robotic arm planned for deployment by 2026 to demonstrate rendezvous and proximity operations and the deorbit of two defunct British satellites. The concept underwent a...
Tag: Japan
US Approves Proposed $59M Sale of Tactical Missiles to Japan
The Department of State has approved a proposed $59 million foreign military sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles to Japan. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Tokyo wants to purchase 44 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block IIs and 29 AIM-9X Sidewinder captive air training missiles. The deal also involves providing Japan with missile containers,...
Japan Announces Plans to Ship Patriot Interceptor Missiles to US
Japan has announced plans to send Patriot air defense missiles to the United States following the government’s decision to revise its arms export policy, according to a Reuters report. In a statement, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the imminent weapons shipment will bolter Japan’s security and improve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region....
Japan Patriot Missile Sale to US Boosts Indo-Pacific Stability, Envoy Says
Japan’s efforts to boost its military capability and ease military equipment sales will enhance Indo-Pacific stability, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said in a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara on Wednesday. According to Military.com, Emanuel lauded Tokyo’s recent approval of the shipments of Japanese-manufactured Patriot missiles to the United States to replenish...
Northrop Grumman, Mitsubishi Electric Partner to Improve Japan’s Defense Capabilities
Northrop Grumman is teaming with Mitsubishi Electric to strengthen Japan’s air and missile defense capabilities. The two companies entered an agreement to combine their proprietary technologies that can enhance networking efficiency to provide the East Asian nation with increased situational awareness and interoperability. “The Japan Ministry of Defense is accelerating integrated air and missile defense...
US, Indo-Pacific Allies Conclude Annual Sea Dragon Anti-Sub War Games
U.S. forces have concluded a major maritime military exercise alongside allied and partner nations from the Indo-Pacific. Sea Dragon is a two-week, annual, multinational exercise hosted by the United States to practice and enhance anti-submarine warfare tactics. The 2024 iteration of the exercise was held in Guam and included participants from the U.S. Navy, Royal Australian...
Australia, Japan To Explore New Robotic, Autonomous Capabilities for Undersea Warfare
Australia said it will work with Japan on a research project to advance the two nations’ capabilities in robotic and autonomous systems for undersea warfare. Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency will spearhead the inaugural research project to enhance undersea communication and interoperability under a signed collaboration agreement....