U.S. wants Japan to co-produce 100-plus Patriot missiles

WASHINGTON -- The U.S military would like Japan to produce more than 100 Patriot missiles, according to the Pentagon's top official for acquisitions, as the two countries expand co-production of weapons to plug a burgeoning American shortage.

After last week's "two-plus-two" meeting of foreign affairs and defense ministers in Tokyo, the U.S. and Japan agreed to expand production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles -- the highest-end member of the Patriot missile family -- and newly co-produce the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).