Defense minister: Supply of Patriot missiles to US should not 'leave holes' in Japan's defense

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said at a press conference on Tuesday, January 26, that the country should supply the United States with missiles for Patriot missile defense systems in such a volume as not to "leave holes" in its own defense, Report informs via TASS.

"We will conduct a thorough assessment and make a decision based on the volume that the United States needs, so as not to leave holes in our country's defense," he said.

Kihara said that the supply of missiles will help strengthen defense cooperation with the United States and strengthen Japan's security, as well as peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Earlier on December 22, the White House confirmed Japan's decision to transfer missiles for Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) to the United States.