Washington “welcomes” Tokyo’s transfer of Patriot systems to the United States to “replenish” American stockpiles.
Washington on Friday “welcomed” Japan's very rare decision to transfer Patriot air defense systems to “replenish supplies” of the United States depleted by military aid to Ukraine. American President Joe Biden is “very grateful” to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, said national security adviser Jake Sullivan, judging that this decision “contributed to the security of Japan (…) by ensuring that the American army continues to have credible deterrence and response capabilities.”
To allow the transfer of these U.S.-developed missile interceptor systems, Japan, which exercises tight control over its arms exports due to its pacifist constitution, has relaxed its rules for the first time in nearly a decade. The delivery of Patriot, the sophisticated systems that play a key role in Ukraine's defense against Russia, is Japan's first export of lethal weapons since the end of World War II, local media reported.
“The corresponding transfer of defense equipment abroad will (…) contribute to international peace and security and also strengthen cooperation with allies and the United States in the areas of security,” the Japanese government explains in the document announcing the decision is given. Under the new arrangement, Japan “will be able to export weapons manufactured locally under license from a foreign country” to that country, said a national security official within the government, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In particular, Japan produces the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missile defense system and pays a license to the American defense company Lockheed Martin, which developed it. Washington, the main supplier of military aid to Kiev, is now turning to its allies who have US-designed or manufactured equipment to respond to the Ukrainian army's demands.