Japan has taken delivery of its first batch of Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) to arm its F-35A Lightning II fleet, significantly enhancing its long-range precision strike capability.
The missiles, produced by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, were formally handed over during a ceremony in Norway before being transported to Japan aboard a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft. While the exact number delivered was not disclosed, the shipment follows multiple procurement agreements between Japan and Kongsberg since 2019, including a fifth follow-on order placed in December 2025.
The JSM has also been adopted by countries such as Norway, Australia, Germany, and the United States, highlighting its growing presence among advanced air forces.
Developed as an air-launched variant of the Naval Strike Missile, the JSM was specifically designed for integration with the F-35A and F-35C platforms. It fits within the aircraft’s internal weapons bay and offers a strike range of up to 563 kilometers while traveling at high subsonic speeds.
The missile measures approximately 4 meters in length, weighs around 407 kilograms, and carries a 118-kilogram warhead. It uses GPS and inertial navigation for midcourse guidance, combined with a passive imaging infrared seeker that is resistant to jamming for precise terminal targeting.
Designed for anti-surface warfare, naval support, and long-range strike missions, the JSM adds significant operational flexibility to the F-35 fleet.
