Japan accuses the US of major delays in $6.9 billion worth of arms contracts, undermining military preparedness and the credibility of the FMS program.
Summary
An official Japanese report has highlighted a reality that is rarely expressed publicly: 118 US arms contracts, concluded through the Foreign Military Sales program, remain undelivered more than five years after their signing. Their cumulative value amounts to $6.9 billion (approximately €6.3 billion). These delays concern critical equipment intended for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, ranging from air defense systems to aeronautical and naval components. Tokyo clearly points the finger at US manufacturers, who are facing persistent industrial bottlenecks. The consequences are manifold: prolonged dependence on outdated equipment, a weakened deterrent posture against China and North Korea, and growing questions about the reliability of US supply chains. For Washington, the stakes go beyond Japan. They affect the strategic credibility of the United States as a supplier of weapons and guarantor of security in the Indo-Pacific.
Public questioning of a pillar of bilateral relations
The defense relationship between Japan and the United States is based on a solid foundation. For decades, Tokyo has relied on Washington for access to advanced military technologies. The Foreign Military Sales program, run by the US government, is one of the main vehicles for this cooperation.
The publication by the Japanese budgetary control body of a report detailing massive and prolonged delays therefore marks a change of tone. The document lists 118 active contracts, most of which were signed before 2019, for which deliveries have still not been completed. The average delay exceeds five years, well beyond the initial schedules.
This finding is all the more significant given that Japan has embarked on a rapid increase in its defense spending. Japan’s military budget has reached ¥43 trillion over five years (approximately €270 billion) as part of its new national security strategy. These investments are largely based on American equipment.
Types of weapons affected by delays
The outstanding contracts cover a wide range of critical capabilities. Several categories stand out.
Air defense and missile defense systems are at the top of the list. Components related to Patriot PAC-3 batteries, including interceptor missiles and electronic components, are experiencing significant delays. These systems are essential in the face of North Korean ballistic threats, which have multiplied since 2022.
The aerospace sector is also affected. Spare parts, mission equipment, and subsystems for fighter fleets, including the F-35, are being delivered several years late. This situation complicates maintenance and reduces the operational availability of the aircraft.
Naval capabilities have not been spared. Some contracts concern radars, onboard combat systems, and weapons for Japanese destroyers. These ships play a key role in maritime surveillance and regional missile defense.
Finally, command, communication, and logistics equipment are also among the delayed deliveries. However, in a modern combat environment, these systems are as crucial as the platforms themselves.
The structural causes of US industrial delays
The Japanese report clearly points the finger at US manufacturers, but the reasons are numerous and deep-rooted.
The first is the saturation of production capacity in the United States. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, American industrial chains have been under heavy pressure to replenish national stocks and support European allies. The priority given to urgent deliveries to Europe has automatically lengthened delivery times for Asia.
The second cause lies in the increasing complexity of equipment. Modern systems incorporate advanced electronic components, which are sometimes subject to global shortages. Production lead times for certain military semiconductors now exceed 24 to 36 months.
Added to this is an organizational factor specific to the FMS program. Unlike a direct commercial sale, the process involves several levels of US administration. Each contractual change or schedule adjustment requires successive approvals, which slows down execution.
Finally, the lack of skilled labor in certain US industrial sectors is weighing on production rates. This problem has been publicly acknowledged by several major defense groups.
Operational consequences for the Japan Self-Defense Forces
Operationally, the impact is direct. Due to late deliveries, the Japan Self-Defense Forces are forced to continue using older equipment. This situation increases maintenance costs and reduces overall reliability.
In the air domain, fleet availability is affected. An aircraft grounded due to a lack of parts is not a theoretical problem. It is one less capability in a tense regional context. Japan is facing a marked increase in Chinese air incursions around Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands.
In terms of missile defense, delays pose a strategic question. The credibility of a shield depends on its ability to be fully operational at all times. Incomplete stocks or partially modernized systems weaken this posture.
The report also highlights increased pressure on personnel. Maintaining aging systems requires more maintenance hours and mobilizes more technicians, to the detriment of operational training.
The financial implications for Tokyo
Financially, the consequences are far from neutral. Delays lead to indirect cost overruns. Extending the life of old equipment costs more than expected. Support contracts are extended. Parts become scarcer and more expensive.
In addition, funds committed to undelivered contracts remain tied up. Of the $6.9 billion, a significant portion has not yet produced any tangible operational capacity. In a tight budgetary context, this immobilization limits the room for maneuver for other investments.
Japan does not question the principle of the FMS, but the report calls for greater contractual visibility and strengthened monitoring mechanisms. The aim is to prevent such delays from becoming the norm.
Strategic consequences for the United States
For Washington, the issue goes beyond its bilateral relationship with Tokyo. The United States presents itself as the central security provider in the Indo-Pacific. Its credibility rests on the reliability of its commitments, including industrial ones.
Repeated delays undermine this message. Other regional partners, such as South Korea and Australia, are closely monitoring the situation. The issue is not only technical. It is political.
On the industrial front, these difficulties highlight the current limitations of the US defense industrial base. Despite record budgets, the ability to produce quickly and in volume remains constrained.
Finally, these delays are fueling a growing debate on supplier diversification. Japan has already begun efforts to strengthen its domestic industry and develop alternative partnerships, particularly with Europe.
The FMS program faces silent questioning
Foreign Military Sales has long been seen as a guarantee of security and standardization. The Japanese case reveals its fragility when global demand exceeds US industrial capacity.
The program remains attractive because it guarantees state support and close interoperability with US forces. But it also shows its limitations in times of global strategic tension.
For Tokyo, the challenge now is to balance dependence and autonomy. Japan is investing in its own industrial capabilities, while remaining tied to the United States for the most sensitive systems.
A strategic alert rather than a simple contractual dispute
The case of undelivered contracts is not just a commercial dispute. It reveals a structural tension between strategic ambitions and industrial realities.
Japan has chosen to rapidly strengthen its military posture. The United States remains its key partner. But the reliability of this relationship also depends on the ability to deliver on time.
In an Indo-Pacific region marked by China’s rise and North Korean instability, time is becoming a strategic factor. Today’s delays will weigh on tomorrow’s credibility, for both Tokyo and Washington.
Sources
Board of Audit of Japan – Report on undelivered FMS contracts
Ministry of Defense Japan – Defense White Paper
U.S. Department of Defense – Foreign Military Sales Program Overview
Congressional Research Service – U.S. Defense Industrial Base Reports
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.