Japan to Arm Fighter Jets with AARGM-ER Missiles to Counter Chinese Air Defenses

Japan’s Ministry of Defense will begin the procurement process for AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles in 2027 to counter Chinese air defense systems.

This is indicated in the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s budget document for fiscal year 2027.

Following the establishment of Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force, the missile will become the first weapon of this class to be operated by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force.

The procurement of these missiles is intended to enable their use from U.S.-made combat platforms, including the F-35, which Japan plans to operate for decades to come.

This comes amid increased Chinese military activity around Japan and the modernization of Japan’s air-launched weapons, which long remained predominantly defensive. This approach significantly limited the strike capabilities of Japanese combat aircraft.

AARGM-ER

The AARGM-ER (AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range) is a next-generation U.S. air-launched anti-radiation missile designed primarily to detect, suppress, and destroy enemy air defense systems.

The missile is designed to engage not only fixed radar sites but also mobile surface-to-air missile systems, command posts, and other elements of an integrated air defense system.

One key feature is its ability to continue the engagement even after the adversary’s radar station has been switched off.

The missile uses a multi-mode guidance system that lets it detect and track a target after it stops radiating radar emissions.

The AARGM-ER was initially developed for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. The program was subsequently expanded to the F-35 family, including the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C versions.

Militarnyi previously reported that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force had begun testing the F-2 fighter with a new long-range air-launched cruise missile.

The exact specifications of the air-launched variant are currently unknown.

Meanwhile, given that the ground-launched variant’s range is estimated at 1,200–1,500 km, the air-launched version will likely have similar performance, or potentially an even greater range, because it launches from an aircraft.