Japan exports Patriot missiles to US, confirms no third-country transfers

Japan has delivered Patriot surface-to-air missiles to the United States for the first time since revising its arms export rules in 2023, with officials emphasising that the missiles will not be transferred to any third countries.

The shipment follows changes to Japan’s Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and operational guidelines, which now allow the export of finished defence products to allied nations, rather than just parts under licensed production. The exact quantity of missiles exported has not been disclosed, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

A Japanese official said the U.S. requested the Patriots to replenish its stockpile, which has been depleted due to military support for Ukraine. Delivery of the contracted units is expected to be completed this month.

Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed that the missiles are intended for U.S. forces, including those operating in the Indo-Pacific region, and reiterated that they will not be supplied to any third countries. “The shipment is intended to support Japan’s security, as well as peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

The Ministry of Defence noted that this transfer aligns with Japan’s 2023 rules prohibiting the retransfer of lethal weapons to nations involved in ongoing conflicts.

Meanwhile, the Sanae Takaichi Cabinet is considering further easing arms export restrictions, including expanding permissible purposes beyond rescue, transport, vigilance, surveillance, and minesweeping, and broadening eligible destinations beyond allied countries.

By Vugar Khalilov