The Pentagon announced on Friday that the U.S. State Department has given its approval for the potential sale of 400 Tomahawk missiles and associated equipment to Japan. The deal is valued at $2.35 billion. This development comes shortly after President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to establish a presidential hotline, resume military-to-military communications, and collaborate on reducing fentanyl production during their first in-person meeting in a year.
The proposed sale package includes 400 Tomahawk missiles, 14 Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems, software, support equipment, spare parts, and technical assistance, according to the Pentagon. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a division of the Pentagon, informed Congress about the potential sale on Friday. However, it is important to note that the State Department’s approval does not indicate the signing of a contract or the conclusion of negotiations.
Raytheon is identified as the primary contractor for the weapons, as stated by the Pentagon. The company is responsible for manufacturing the Tomahawk missiles and providing the necessary support.
This article was reported by Mike Stone, Ismail Shakil, and Costas Pitas, with editing by Jonathan Oatis.
