Japan has selected an advanced radar system made by Lockheed Martin Corp. for its multibillion-dollar missile defense system, a Defense Ministry official with direct knowledge of the matter said Tuesday on condition of anonymity.
The government plans to buy two Aegis Ashore batteries that it wants to deploy in 2023, to upgrade its missile defense system, in a move that could help ease trade friction with Washington and provide cutting-edge protection against the arsenals of North Korea and China.
It was reported last week that the candidates for the radar were Raytheon Co.'s SPY-6 and a version of the Lockheed Martin Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR).