Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace confirmed that Japan has finalized a new contract for the acquisition of additional Joint Strike Missiles (JSM), intended to equip the F-35 stealth fighters operated by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The decision is part of Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen its long-range precision strike capabilities amid growing regional tensions and a review of its defensive posture.
According to Kongsberg, the new order expands on previously signed contracts and consolidates Japan as one of the main operators of the JSM within the F-35 ecosystem. While neither the number of missiles nor the contract value were publicly disclosed, the company emphasized that the agreement reinforces a longstanding cooperation with Japan in advanced weaponry and deterrence capabilities.
It is worth noting that this purchase adds to orders placed by Japan since 2018, including the 2024 contract, when the Japan Air Self-Defense Force acquired additional JSMs for its F-35s as part of a plan to provide these aircraft with long-range anti-ship and ground-attack capabilities.
The Japanese decision comes alongside the progressive adoption of the JSM by other allied air forces. Norway, the system’s developer, received the first production missiles in 2025 to equip its F-35As, marking their entry into operational service. Likewise, Germany confirmed in July of this year the purchase of JSMs for its future F-35As acquired from the United States, increasing the number of European operators of the missile.
At this point, it should be recalled that the JSM is a long-range cruise missile featuring advanced infrared seekers that allow it to detect and lock onto threats autonomously, as well as a navigation system capable of changing course in flight to evade enemy air defenses.
In the case of Japan, the sustained incorporation of the missile aims to enhance deterrence against naval and land threats in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in scenarios linked to the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The combination of the F-35 with long-range cruise missiles such as the JSM represents a qualitative leap in the offensive capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces, in line with doctrinal changes promoted by Tokyo in recent years.
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