WASHINGTON (AFP) - Japan has requested the possible missile defense upgrade to one of its sea-based Aegis air defense systems and nine SM-3 interceptor missiles, the Pentagon said Friday. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency estimated the value of the proposed sale at 475 million dollars.Deployed on Japanese ships, the upgraded Aegis system and SM-3 Block IA missiles will provide "the initial ballistic missile defense for mainland Japan," the agency said in a statement. "Although comparable weapons are not currently deployed in Northeast Asia, the proposed sale of SM-3 missiles and BMD upgrades to the Aegis Weapon System will not significantly alter the existing military balance in the region as the proposed sale enhances only defensive capabilities," it said.
Congress has 30 days in which to block the sale if it is opposed.