Sumitomo Heavy Industries, ARMADA Form Alliance to Support U.S. Navy in Japan

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Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (SHI) and IMIA, an operating company of ARMADA, announced the signing of their Alliance Agreement, launching a strategic partnership to support U.S. Navy operations in Japan and surrounding regions. The in-person signing ceremony was held at Sumitomo Heavy Industries’ headquarters building, Sumitomo Kaikan, in Tokyo.

The alliance brings together SHI’s long-established industrial presence and execution capabilities that have supported the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet in Japan for decades with IMIA’s deep experience in U.S. Navy ship maintenance and repair operations. Under the agreement, SHI will serve as prime contractor in Japan where applicable, with IMIA providing specialized personnel, technical expertise, and operational support to enhance speed and readiness for mission-critical maintenance activities. Through this agreement, IMIA also brings the full resources and support of its parent company ARMADA, which is majority owned by Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) and Stellex Capital Management and provides integrated mission-critical solutions across its national footprint of operating companies.

“This partnership is not just about signing an agreement. It is about beginning a shared mission,” said Koichi Miyajima, President of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering Co., Ltd., during the ceremony. “By combining SHI’s local execution strength in Japan with IMIA’s proven operational experience, we are creating a team focused on readiness, speed, and quality for the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet.”

The alliance is designed to address the realities of forward-deployed naval operations in the Pacific theater, where maintenance timelines are compressed and operational demands are high. A key focus of the partnership is improving readiness under real-world conditions, including rapid response to unplanned maintenance and battle damage scenarios.

“Today marks more than the execution of a contract. It marks the beginning of a collaboration built on trust, shared values, and a common commitment to excellence. We are honored to be Sumitomo Heavy Industries’ partner in this mission,” said Yehuda Chakoff, Chief Executive Officer of ARMADA “Together with Sumitomo Heavy Industries, we are aligning complementary strengths to support the readiness of the U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet here in Japan, where speed, reliability, and uncompromising standards are essential.”

The agreement also reflects the broader significance of U.S.–Japan industrial cooperation. By working side by side, including engineers, planners, technicians, and leaders, SHI and IMIA aim to strengthen interoperability, localize capability, and continuously improve how they support forward-deployed naval forces.

The signing underscores both companies’ long-term commitment to collaboration, transparency, and disciplined execution in support of maritime security and fleet readiness.