TOKYO (AFP) – Japan signed a deal with its ally the United States (US) yesterday to buy 400 long-range Tomahawk missiles as it ramps up its military capacity to counter regional security threats.
The Japanese government plans to double its defence spending to the NATO standard of two per cent of gross domestic product by 2027.
A sale of up to USD2.35 billion for two types of Tomahawks, which have a 1,600-kilometre range, was approved by Washington in November.
“The conclusion of this signing starts the procurement of the Tomahawk missiles,” a defence official told reporters yesterday after the deal was signed in Tokyo.
“Through sound implementation of the (defence) budget, we will extensively strengthen our defence capacity,” he added.
Japan has approved a record defence budget worth USD56 billion for the next fiscal year from April.
Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution, which limits its military to ostensibly defensive measures.
