Tokyo: Japan will deploy an upgraded version of its Type-12 surface-to-ship missile and hyper velocity gliding projectiles at several Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) bases, with schedules moved up by about one year, the Defense Ministry announced Friday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the new Type-12 system will be initially deployed at a GSDF base in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, between fiscal 2025 and 2026, followed by deployment at a GSDF base in Shizuoka, central Japan, in fiscal 2027. The ministry's press release also specifies that the sea-launched and air-launched variants, which were initially planned for fiscal 2028, will instead be operational in fiscal 2027 at Maritime and Air SDF bases in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The Defense Ministry emphasized its commitment to enhancing Japan's standoff defense capabilities, aiming to counter potential invading forces at an early stage and from longer distances. The ministry noted that missile programs are progressing smoothly, and the accelerated deployment reflects the increasingly severe and complex security environment since the postwar era. This announcement marks the first time the government has disclosed deployment sites for missiles that can serve as "counterstrike capabilities," excluding those launched from vessels.