It was recently announced that the U.S. and Japan agreed to quadruple production of the SM-3 IIA, the most advanced anti-aircraft missile on their destroyers, as part of a joint strategy to strengthen deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region. The decision was included in the final document released by the White House following the bilateral summit, which also emphasized the importance of security in the Taiwan Strait.
The official statement noted that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed that “peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are indispensable for regional security and global prosperity.” Both sides also expressed their “opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo through force or intimidation,” reaffirming a common stance in the face of potential tensions in the region.
The inclusion of the Taiwan issue in the final document marks a shift from previous meetings, where the topic had been handled more cautiously. During a previous meeting in Tokyo in October, the U.S. avoided issuing an explicit statement on Taiwan, amid diplomatic preparations with China. However, on this occasion, Japan pushed for the issue’s reinstatement on the joint agenda.
On the military front, the agreement to increase production of the SM-3 Block IIA represents one of the cornerstones of bilateral cooperation. This ballistic missile interceptor, jointly developed by both countries, is designed to counter short- and medium-range threats. Its production model is based on an industrial division in which Japan manufactures key components, while the United States handles integration and final assembly.
The SM-3 Block IIA is part of a broader set of defense cooperation programs between the two countries, which includes systems such as the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), currently in mass production. Also noteworthy are the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) hypersonic interceptor, the latter still in the joint development phase.
According to the Kyodo news agency, the talks also addressed Japan’s potential role in strengthening AMRAAM production capabilities. Furthermore, both sides confirmed the first deployment of the Typhon intermediate-range missile launch system on Japanese soil, which was tested during the joint “Resolute Dragon” exercise at the U.S. base in Iwakuni last September.
The development of the SM-3 Block IIA had already achieved previous milestones, such as its first successful test in November 2022 during joint exercises off the coast of Hawaii, where the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force validated its operational capabilities. More recently, in February 2026, Raytheon signed agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense to expand missile production, including the SM-3, as part of an industrial expansion aimed at meeting the growing global demand for precision-guided weapons.
*Images for illustrative purposes only.
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