Japan is preparing a significant policy shift in its military export regulations that will allow it to export several dozen Patriot missiles to Washington. In turn, the United States will be able to send more air defense equipment to Ukraine. This was reported by UNN with reference to The Washington Post.
This week, Japan is expected to formalize a policy change that will allow it to export several dozen Patriot missiles to the United States, adding to Washington's arsenal. This would give Washington the flexibility to send more modern air defense equipment to Ukraine .
The U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because discussions are still ongoing, said the change - a modification of military export rules - would not explicitly mention the Patriot system, but would meet a key request from the Biden administration.
Japan produces missiles for Patriot, the leading US air defense system, under license from Raytheon.
"The Cabinet of Ministers is expected to announce these changes on Friday. Patriot will not go directly to Ukraine. Rather, Japan is considering sending dozens of missiles to the United States to replenish its stockpile destined for Japan and the Indo-Pacific region. Tokyo has not yet presented a timetable, but a decision on some figures is expected soon," the official said.
It is reported that these are PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors. The former are designed to destroy certain types of ballistic missiles by exploding nearby, while the latter are direct-attack munitions that target missiles and aircraft directly and have greater explosive power. Analysts estimate that the more advanced PAC-3 interceptors cost about $4 million each.
The move comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern about his country's defense capabilities during a visit to Washington last week.
"Only a 'handful' of ammunition is left to defend Kyiv, and he wants more to defend big cities like Odesa, he told a private meeting of analysts at the Ukrainian embassy," said a person familiar with the meeting.
Addendum
Zelenskyy announces new Patriot systems to strengthen Ukraine's air defense in winter.