US and Japan agree to jointly produce air-to-air missiles in Japan

The US and Japan will set up a facility in Japan to jointly produce advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said after meeting US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Cebu, Philippines. Koizumi called the missiles, part of 'Operation Supercharge', essential for the F-35. Both sides pledged stronger deterrence amid alarm over China's growing assertiveness.