Japan has approved a $45.8 billion defense budget for the year beginning April 1, including $1.2 billion for ballistic missile defense programs, Reuters reported Friday.The budget will fund purchases of the Raytheon-made Standard Missile-3 Block IIA interceptors; updates for the Patriot missile batteries; and preparations for the establishment of two ground-based Aegis ballistic missile defense systems, the report said.
Japan also allocated $19.4 million for the procurement of medium-range air-launched cruise missiles meant to protect the country against potential ballistic missile launches of North Korea.
The country looks to buy $2.5 billion worth of U.S.-made defense equipment through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program.
