Japan to Deploy Domestic Interceptor Missiles to 14 Units by 2027

Japan plans to introduce domestically produced interceptor missiles capable of countering ballistic missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles (HGV) by 2027, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on the 4th.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 03 Surface-to-Air Guided Missile / Photo by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

According to the report, Japan's Ministry of Defense plans to deploy domestically produced interceptor missiles to 14 ground units nationwide to be used for defending nuclear power plants and key bases in the Nansei Islands in southwestern Japan. The plan includes upgrading the software of the 'Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air guided missile,' manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric and others for intercepting cruise missiles and aircraft, to also intercept ballistic missiles. Around 2030, the hardware, including guided missiles and launchers, will be upgraded to enhance interception capabilities, and technology to track ballistic missiles with irregular trajectories and HGVs will be added.

About half of the 14 units where the upgraded interceptor missiles will be deployed are likely to be stationed within the Nansei Islands. Candidate locations include Yonaguni Island, 110 km from Taiwan, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force base to be established on Ishigakijima in March.

Currently, the Japan Self-Defense Forces' ballistic missile defense (BMD) system is a two-stage system that intercepts missiles outside the atmosphere by launching SM-3 missiles from Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis ships and intercepts them after atmospheric re-entry with PAC-3 missiles. The addition of the new domestically produced interceptor missiles will further strengthen Japan's missile defense network, Nihon Keizai reported.