Japan picks Lockheed Martin radar for missile defense system

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan has selected Lockheed Martin Corp’s advanced radar for its multibilliondollar missile defense system, a Japanese defense ministry official with direct knowledge told Reuters on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

Japan plans to buy two Aegis Ashore batteries to be deployed in 2023 in an upgrade of its missile defenses against the arsenals of North Korea and China. The purchase could also help ease trade friction with Washington.

Reuters reported last week that the candidates for the radar system were Raytheon Co’s SPY-6 and a version of Lockheed Martin Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR).

The decision on the radar supplier means that Japan can add the purchase to a defense budget proposal slated for release in August, three sources with knowledge of the plan told Reuters previously. They also spoke on condition of anonymity.