Japan's Mitsubishi eyes F-35 missile deal with Europe's MBDA

Japan's Mitsubishi Electric has agreed to take the first step towards a partnership with European missile maker MBDA to develop a medium-range air-to-air missile for the F-35 stealth fighter.
The preliminary deal marks an extension of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's bid to launch Japan's military suppliers into the global arms market through international tie-ups, and thereby bring down costs for Japan's defense procurement.
If successful, it would represent the first time Japanese-built components had been used on a missile sold overseas, one of a string of potential international arms deals to emerge since Abe's government moved in April to end a more than four decade-old ban on military exports.
Mitsubishi Electric, is the prime supplier of air-to-air missiles to Japan's Self Defense Forces.
reuters