[News in War History] From Okinawa, Japan to Kyiv, the Symbol of 'Air Defense,' the 'Patriot'

Deployment of 3rd Unit in Okinawa Amid Taiwan Strait Tensions
Painful Lessons from 4th Middle East War Spark Development
Popularity Soars After Intercepting Scud Missiles in Iraq War

Editor's Note[News in War History] is a content series created to provide multifaceted perspectives on war and conflict news from around the world as it unfolds moment by moment. Through 'News,' we first understand the current situation; through 'History,' we analyze the hidden meanings behind the news; and we also offer 'Implications' for the near future. We visit you every Sunday and plan to publish a book after 40 episodes.

Following North Korea's ballistic missile launches, the Japanese government has deployed the Patriot (PAC-3) system in Okinawa to intercept these threats, drawing international attention. Although the deployment was justified as a measure against North Korean missiles, the mere act of placing missile defense systems in Okinawa?a frontline area feared to be targeted amid concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan?has significantly heightened military tensions.

The deployment of PAC-3 itself is also notable as a symbol of conflict zones. PAC-3 systems, which U.S. allies worldwide are rushing to acquire, are deployed in conflict areas ranging from Ukraine to various Middle Eastern countries, U.S. Forces Korea, and Japan. Over time, it has become emblematic of air defense networks, leading to a surge in global orders.

Recently, Ukraine claimed to have intercepted even Russian hypersonic missiles, further increasing the demand for the Patriot system among many countries. Why has the Patriot missile become such a bestseller in air defense missiles? In this edition, we will explore the Patriot missile, known as the best-selling air defense missile.

◆News: Japan Deploys Three Patriots in Okinawa... "In Response to North Korean Missiles"

The PAC-3 launcher owned by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. [Image source: Japan Self-Defense Forces website]

Let's start with the news. According to NHK on the 3rd, the Japanese government deployed three PAC-3 units in Okinawa on the 31st of last month, around the time North Korea launched its space launch vehicle. However, there were criticisms that the system failed to perform proper interception due to a typhoon on that day.

The Japan Self-Defense Forces attempted to deploy Patriots on an artificial island in Ishigakijima, Okinawa Prefecture, at the time of North Korea's space launch vehicle launch but failed. The Patriots deployed on Miyakojima and Yonagunijima were reportedly in a folded launcher state. Due to safety concerns as Typhoon Mawar approached, the Patriots could not be deployed.

Within Japanese political circles, voices expressing anxiety over the Patriots' inability to function properly due to bad weather emerged, but the Japanese government firmly denied any issues. They stated that if enemy projectiles approach actual territory, they can be intercepted by Aegis ships on standby in the East China Sea, and if some are missed, Patriots can be deployed for interception. The government’s position is that the Patriots were not deployed due to the typhoon risk but because the North Korean space launch vehicle fell before reaching Okinawa, making deployment unnecessary.

On the other hand, this incident confirmed PAC-3's position in air defense systems. Not only Okinawa but also Taiwan, where concerns over Chinese invasion are growing, possesses PAC-3 systems, and all U.S. allies in Asia, including South Korea and Saudi Arabia, have them. Recently, Ukraine claimed to have intercepted Russia's hypersonic missile 'Kinzhal,' drawing even more attention.

◆History 1: The Surface-to-Air 'Patriot' Missile Developed from Lessons of Middle East Wars

An image of the former Soviet SA-6 surface-to-air missile (SAM) possessed by Serbia, a former Eastern Bloc country. [Image source=Serbian military official website]

When was the Patriot, the epitome of air defense networks, first developed? The American company Raytheon, which manufactures this weapon, began operating it in 1981 and started using it as the U.S. military's High to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) from 1984. This means it is not a cutting-edge weapon but one that has been in service for over 40 years.

This missile was originally developed to perform both roles: intercepting enemy fighter jets as a surface-to-air missile (SAM) and intercepting ballistic missiles as an anti-ballistic missile (ABM). Until the late 1960s, the U.S. military focused more on developing advanced fighter jets to dominate air superiority rather than on SAMs. However, after experiencing the Fourth Middle East War, also known as the Yom Kippur War, in 1973, they accelerated the development of new SAMs.

During the Fourth Middle East War, the Israeli military engaged Egyptian forces, deploying the then state-of-the-art F-4 Phantom fighter jets. However, the supposedly invincible F-4s were devastated by Egypt's air defense network, which was equipped with the Soviet-supplied new SAM, the SA-6 missile. Over seven days of combat, the Israeli Air Force lost as many as 107 fighter jets.

After F-4 fighters were shot down by SA-6 missiles, the Israeli Air Force had no choice but to fly at low altitudes to avoid missile interception. The Egyptian forces then targeted them with anti-aircraft self-propelled guns, causing massive losses. This was regarded as a victory of the layered air defense system provided by the Soviets.

The U.S. military was deeply shocked by this. Consequently, the U.S. military, which had neglected SAM development, immediately began developing new missiles, leading to the creation of the Patriot system. Although the word 'Patriot' means patriotism, it is actually an acronym. The original name of the Patriot missile is derived from the initials of 'Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept On Target.' There is even a story that the words were deliberately combined to form the word 'Patriot.'

◆History 2: PAC-3’s Stellar Performance in the 2003 Iraq War and Interception of Russian Hypersonic Missiles

At the end of last year, the Polish military conducted interception training with the PAC-3. [Image source=Polish military official website]

True to its origins as a weapon system developed after the shock of the Middle East wars, the U.S. Patriot has seen extensive action in the Middle East. During the 2003 Iraq War, the older versions of the Patriot, PAC-2 and PAC-3, successfully intercepted Iraqi Scud missiles, gaining significant attention in the region.

It continues to be used across the Middle East following the Syrian and Iraqi civil wars since 2014. It intercepts rocket fire from the Palestinian territories and drone attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels. Notably, the PAC-3 deployed in Saudi Arabia is reported to have intercepted over 100 ballistic missiles since 2015.

Despite the emergence of many new interception weapons, the Patriot remains a bestseller in various regions due to its high versatility. The Patriot missile covers all altitudes from ultra-low altitude of 30 meters above ground to high altitudes of 30 kilometers. Being over 40 years old, it is less vulnerable to hacking or electronic warfare, and its weapon system is intuitive, capable of attacking multiple targets simultaneously, which are considered its strengths.

Recently, it is also reported to have intercepted Russia's latest hypersonic missile called Kinzhal. The Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down a Kinzhal missile used in the Kyiv airstrike, and the U.S. military has acknowledged this, further emphasizing the need for air defense missile systems and increasing the Patriot's popularity.

◆Implication: A Missile Weapon That Is Both Shield and Sword... Beginning to Blanket Conflict Zones

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

However, the popularity of PAC-3 cannot be viewed entirely positively. Its popularity reflects the increasing number of conflict zones worldwide.

Europe, which had been peaceful for 30 years after the end of the Cold War, has seen a rise in countries in Eastern Europe seeking to acquire PAC-3 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Many countries also desire the high-altitude missile defense system THAAD. This urgency arises from growing threats posed by Russia's various nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles, making it critical to establish air defense networks.

The threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is also effectively forcing countries to build air defense systems. In 2019, major oil fields in Saudi Arabia were destroyed by drone bombs from Yemen's Houthi rebels. In the ongoing Ukraine war, Russia has used Iranian-made drones equipped with bombs as suicide drones in airstrikes on major cities, making the establishment of air defense systems to protect urban areas urgent.

On the other hand, this system not only blocks enemy air attacks but can also be used offensively, significantly raising military tensions. We hope the skies of the world will return to peaceful skies once again.