Japan Deploys Long-Range Missiles as Counterstrike Capability

Tokyo, March 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday deployed a long-range missile system to Ground Self-Defense Force camps in Kumamoto and Shizuoka prefectures that can be used as a counterstrike capability. At a time when China and other countries are stepping up their military activities, the SDF for the first time began operating practical weapon systems capable of striking enemy bases. Specifically, the upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship guided missile system was deployed at the GSDF’s Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan. The Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile surface-to-surface missile system for the defense of remote islands was deployed at the GSDF’s Camp Fuji in Shizuoka, central Japan. The GSDF said Tuesday that it has named the upgraded Type-12 missile system the Type-25 surface-to-ship guided missile system. The Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile was named the Type-25 hyper velocity gliding projectile. The deployments are “an extremely important initiative for strengthening Japan’s deterrence and response capabilities,” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said at a press conference. According to a ministry official, the Type-25 missiles have a range of about 1,000 kilometers and are able to reach coastal areas of mainland China from Kumamoto. The Type-25 hyper velocity gliding projectiles currently have a range of several hundred kilometers, but the goal is reportedly to extend it to 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers in the future. Training will be conducted at the GSDF’s Artillery School Unit at Camp Fuji, with plans to sequentially deploy the missiles to Camp Kamifurano in Hokkaido, northernmost Japan, and Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, by the end of fiscal 2026. These moves are part of efforts to develop stand-off defense capabilities aimed at neutralizing targets from outside their range. While chiefly designed to counter enemy vessels invading from the sea, the missiles are said to be used to strike ground targets, such as military bases, if an attack by another country is detected. The Maritime SDF’s Aegis destroyer Chokai, which has completed upgrades to launch the U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, is slated to begin operations as early as mid-September. The ministry is speeding up efforts to strengthen the SDF’s counterstrike capabilities, including the acquisition of Norway’s Joint Strike Missile antisurface and antiship weapons. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]