On March 24, North Korea test-launched two new short-range ballistic missiles. The state-run KCNA stated the missiles, which appear to be a variant of the KN-23, flew 600 km before striking a target in the Sea of Japan. Japanese and South Korean reports, however, say the missiles ranged about 430 km. Earlier on March 21,...
On December 25, Japan’s Ministry of Defense announced it would begin mass production of the ASM-3A, an air-launched supersonic antiship missile. Japan began developing the ASM-3 in FY 2010 and completed a flight test in 2017. Following a review of defense requirements, Tokyo postponed acquisition of the ASM-3 in favor of an upgraded variant with...
The United States has long worked with its allies on missile defense cooperation. Yet as missile threats proliferate, cooperation is increasingly important.
On December 1, Russia announced it had deployed S-300V4 air defense systems to disputed islands claimed by Japan. Russia’s Ministry of Defence said the S-300s were positioned on the island of Iturup, part of what Russia calls the Southern Kuril Islands and what Japan calls the Northern Territories. Russia seized the island chain towards the...
On June 15, Japanese Minister of Defense Taro Kono announced that Japan would suspend plans to deploy the Aegis Ashore missile defense system due to “cost and schedule” concerns, triggering a government-wide review of Japan’s missile defense program. The plan, which would deploy Aegis Ashore systems in Yamaguchi and Akita prefectures, has faced multiple schedule...
On March 19, Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned JS Maya (DDG-179), the first of two Maya-class ships and the seventh Japanese ship equipped with the Aegis combat system. Equipped with the Aegis Baseline J7 system and Cooperative Engagement Capability, the Maya will be capable of engaging ballistic missiles with SM-6 and SM-3 Block...
Japan’s Defense Ministry plans to incorporate an antiship capability on its future hypersonic missiles, according to a February 25 Mainichi Shimbun report. In a 2019 paper, the ministry’s Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency outlined plans to introduce a ground-launched hypersonic glide vehicle by fiscal 2026 and a more ambitious, high-lift system by fiscal 2028 or...
In a November 1 announcement, the U.S. Department of Defense authorized the production of additional Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missiles for sale to Japan. Under the estimated $267 million contract modification, the United States would produce 20 SM-3 Block IIAs for domestic service and 4 for Japan. Production is expected to conclude in December...
On October 9, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force conducted a public drill of its Patriot missile defense system in Tokyo. The demonstration took place at a public park in Ariake District, Tokyo and marked the first urban JASDF missile defense exercise since 2013. Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike attended the...
According to an internal government document, Russia plans to deploy Bastion-P coastal defense units to two islands in the disputed Kuril Island chain, Kyodo News reported on August 2. Russian government officials have noted the systems have “already been moved and are now being prepared for operation.” The P-800 Oniks antiship missile which the Bastion-P...
