The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of RAM Block 2 Tactical Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $55.311 million.  The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to fifty-one (51) Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2 Tactical Missiles, RIM-116C.  Also included are RAM Guided Missile Round Pack Tri-Pack shipping and storage containers, operator manuals and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.  The estimated total cost is $55.311 million.

RAM Block 2 Tactical missiles will provide significantly enhanced area defence capabilities over critical East Asian and Western Pacific air and sea-lines of communication. 

The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile is used by the US, German, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabian, and Egyptian navies. It was intended originally and used primarily as a point-defence weapon against anti-ship cruise missiles. The missile is so-named because it rolls around its longitudinal axis to stabilize its flight path, much like a bullet fired from a rifled barrel.