The Phalanx CIWS is a close-in weapon system for defense against anti-ship missiles (ASM), aircraft and littoral warfare threats that have penetrated other fleet defenses. Phalanx automatically detects, evaluates, tracks, engages and performs against ASM and high speed aircraft threats. File photo: DefenseWorld.net

Washington, D.C. (People's Daily) - The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $45 million military sale to Japan on Monday. 

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale on Monday.

The sale contains conversion kits to upgrade the MK-15 Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) Block IB Baseline 1 to MK-15 Phalanx Block IB Baseline 2. 

The deal also includes support equipment, spare parts, publications, software and other related elements of logistical and program support. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems.

The State Department believes improving the security of its ally will contribute to US foreign policy and national security and will help Japan establish a stable force for both political and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region.

The proposed sale will improve Japan's defensive capability. Japan will use the enhanced ability as a deterrent to regional threats.

Although the State Department insists the sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region, Chinese analysts believe that the more advanced weapons the US sells to South Korea and Japan, the more military tensions and risks will be raised in Northeast Asia. The sale is likely to provoke North Korea's rebound, and would create greater uncertainty to the Korean Peninsula.