Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD) have reached a formal agreement for a Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) Cooperative Development (GCD) Project Arrangement. This agreement is in line with the U.S.-Japan bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Projects (RDT&E).
This GPI development agreement aims to bolster regional deterrence and enhance the long-standing missile defense cooperation between the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency will spearhead the development of GPI for the DoD, providing hypersonic missile defense capability during the glide-phase portion of hypersonic flight.
Under the terms of the signed GPI Cooperative Development (GCD), Japan will lead development of rocket motors and propulsion components of GPI. Over time, GPI is expected to deliver a regional defensive capability as part of a comprehensive layered defensive architecture. This co-development initiative will further build upon the enduring U.S.-Japan missile defense cooperation and strengthen the Alliance's deterrence posture.
