Raytheon has landed a $250 million deal with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) for the local, licensed production of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 in Japan.
The contract, structured as a direct commercial sale, will see Raytheon supply missile kits, parts, and technical support, while MELCO will manufacture the missiles at its Japanese facilities.
This arrangement strengthens Japan’s defense manufacturing base and reinforces the security alliance between Japan and the United States as regional threats intensify.
It also allows Raytheon to further expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific defense market.
“This innovative licensing agreement reflects decades of close collaboration,” commented Barbara Borgonovi, Raytheon’s president of Naval Power.
