TOKYO - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd could provide a sensor for installation on the Raytheon's Patriot surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Raytheon is in talks with the Japanese defense giant. This could become the first major shipment of defense equipment after Japan relaxed its policy on exporting arms.
The Japanese government would need to approve this export. Raytheon wants to install this sensor on Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC 2) missile.
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force is equipped with PAC-2s. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produces this sensor under a licensing agreement from Raytheon.
Japan eased its rules on arms exports in early April. This is the first major overhaul of Japan's arms export policy in nearly half a century.
The Patriot air defense system is in service with the U.S. and Japanese militaries, as well as Germany, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Kuwait, South Korea, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.