Japan’s Ministry of Defense has entered into significant contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, focusing on the mass production of critical missile systems in response to increasing threats from regional adversaries, notably China and North Korea.
The contracts include a torpedo tube-launched missile for submarines, valued at approximately 2.9 billion yen ($19 million), and an upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, worth around 25 billion yen ($164 million). These initiatives underscore Japan’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities.
The upgraded Type 12 missile is anticipated to be operational by fiscal year 2027, while the submarine-launched missile is set to be deployed by 2028. Both systems are designed to improve Japan’s ability to engage and neutralize threats posed by land targets and enemy vessels at greater distances.
A representative from the Ministry of Defense highlighted that the bolstering of stand-off defense capabilities is crucial for intercepting potential aggressors early and from long ranges. The ministry emphasized the urgent need to procure domestically produced missiles, aiming for rapid development and deployment.
Noteworthy enhancements to the Type 12 anti-ship missile began in 2022, aimed at extending its range from 200 kilometers (124 miles) to a minimum of 900 kilometers (559 miles). These upgrades include design modifications that help reduce the missile’s radar visibility and incorporate capabilities for land-attack missions.
The missile is launched from an eight-wheeled truck, each capable of carrying six missiles weighing approximately 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds). It utilizes a sophisticated navigation system combining GPS and terrain-contour mapping, along with an active electronically scanned array radar seeker that identifies valid maritime targets.
On the submarine side, the new cruise missile is expected to deliver greater range and land-attack options compared to the existing Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile, which has a range of about 129 kilometers (80 miles). This development, contracted to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2023, aims to target hostile missile launch sites and represents a strategic shift toward more versatile maritime capabilities.
Although specifics have not been officially confirmed, there is speculation that the new sub-launched missile may draw on technology from the upgraded Type 12. These contracts follow an earlier agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in April for the development of long-range, surface-to-ship and surface-to-surface precision missiles, which are intended to integrate with the current Type 12 missile launchers and are projected to enter service by 2032.
