Japan to equip its F-35 jets with advanced JSM anti-ship missile

Japan to equip its F-35 jets with advanced JSM anti-ship missile.

On March 11, 2019, the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) announced that it had signed a contract with Japan to supply the first deliveries of JSM (Joint Strike Missiles) for Japanese F-35 combat aircraft.

The JSM development started in 2008 and was completed in mid-2018 after a series of successful validation test firings.

“This is an important international breakthrough which demonstrates the importance of cooperation between Norwegian authorities, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and Norwegian industry”, says CEO of KONGSBERG Geir Håøy.

The JSM is the only long-range-sea and land-target missile that can be carried internally in the F-35 and thus ensuring the aircraft’s low-signature (stealth) capabilities. JSM is a new missile that will expand the overall capabilities of the F-35. No other weapon on the market today, can perform the same types of missions.

“The international F-35 user consortium is showing great interest in the JSM and KONGSBERG is very proud to have been selected by Japan to provide the JSM for their F-35 fleet. This is a major milestone for the JSM program, entering into the production phase”, says Eirik Lie, President, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.

Source, Image: KONGSBERG