The US State Department has given the green light for a significant $200 million deal aimed at advancing Japan’s Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGP) program. This initiative is designed to provide the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force with a high-speed aerial weapon capable of long-range air defense.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the approved deal encompasses essential equipment and services that will bolster the HVGP project. This includes preparation for testing, actual testing procedures, and transportation support, along with planned coordination meetings between US and Japanese officials to facilitate the developmental aspects of the HVGP.
The DSCA emphasized that this proposed sale will align with the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States. By enhancing the defense capabilities of a key ally, the initiative is framed as a means to promote political stability and economic progress within the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, the project is anticipated to strengthen Japan’s ability to confront both current and emerging threats, particularly in safeguarding its remote islands.
Before the deal comes into effect, it must secure approval from Congress, which will evaluate the agreement’s alignment with national interests and security strategies.
Launched in 2018, the HVGP is part of Japan’s wider strategy to bolster its stand-off capabilities in reaction to escalating security challenges in its region. The weapon, which can deliver a powerful warhead launched from a truck-mounted system, is designed to glide at hypersonic speeds towards its target, boasting an estimated range of 900 kilometers (559 miles)—similar to that of the US Navy’s renowned Tomahawk cruise missile.
Originally slated for completion in 2023, the project has accelerated due to increasing regional tensions, prompting Japan to initiate early mass production even while the weapon system remains under development. Recently, the HVGP completed important flight tests in California and is expected to achieve operational status by 2026, bolstering Japan’s defensive capabilities significantly in the years to come.
