Japan wants to modernize missiles to intercept hypersonic targets

Japan wants to upgrade its Type 3 Chu-SAM medium-range missiles with anti-hypersonic capability.

The Japan Self-Defense Army (JGSDF) wants to modernize its Type 03 anti-aircraft missiles to make them capable of intercepting hypersonic glide vehicles (HGV). 

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According to a source from the portal Kyodo News, China and Russia, Japan's biggest opponents, are working on the development of this type of weapon. The Government plans to start launching software for the Type 03 missiles in FY 2026, to start mass production of the modernized model in FY 2029. 

Chinese DF-ZF Hypersonic Gliders (HGV), mounted on DF-17 missiles.
Chinese DF-ZF hypersonic gliders, mounted on DF-17 missiles. Photo via Missile Threat.

The source alleges that the missile upgrade is part of efforts to increase "comprehensive air and anti-missile defense" capabilities. That work is to be referenced by the government in the National Security Strategy, a long-term policy guideline that is expected to be revised by the end of this year. 

It is possible that Japan work alongside the United States in the development of the “anti-hypersonic” ability. According to Inside Defense, Washington hopes to adopt the same approach used in the development of the RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 anti-aircraft missile (SM-3) Block IIA. In this way, the Pentagon shares the costs with a foreign partner.

Type 03 anti-aircraft missile launcher from Japan.
Type 03 missile launcher. Photo: Hunini via Wikimedia.

The Type 03 Chu-SAM, also called the SAM-4, is a medium-range mobile anti-aircraft system developed by Kato and Mitsubishi in the late 1990s to replace the MIM-23 HAWK North Americans.

Each battery is made up of at least five vehicles: a command vehicle, a radar vehicle, a launch vehicle, a refueling vehicle and a generator truck. The launcher, based on an 8×8 heavy truck, carries six interceptors capable of shooting down planes, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles from 50 km away and 10 km high. 

Pair of MiG-31K Foxhound fighters carrying Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
Pair of MiG-31K Foxhound fighters carrying Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Photo: MoD RU.

Even with the upgrade, the source notes that Japan's ability to counter hypersonic weapons is uncertain. The race among major military powers to develop such weapons is intensifying, and the technologies must continue to advance.

So far, only Russia and China employ hypersonic gliders, in the form of the Yu-74 Avangard and DF-ZF, respectively. contrary to Most famous Kh-47 Kinzhal (used by Russians against Ukraine), which follows a ballistic trajectory, HGVs are maneuverable, which greatly decreases the chances of a successful interception. 

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Art of the hypersonic missile HAWC, under development by the US.
Art of the hypersonic missile HAWC, under development by the US. Photo: Lockheed Martin

While Beijing and Moscow already have their hypersonic and HGV missiles in service, the US and its allies are still developing their own artifacts and missiles with anti-hypersonic capabilities.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin have agreed on t research and development of hypersonic weapons technologies.

With information WeaponSystems.net, Kyodo News, Inside Defense

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Gabriel Centeno

Author Gabriel Centeno

Journalism student at UFRGS, spotter and military aviation enthusiast.

Categories: Military, News, News

Tags: HGV extension, Japan, hypersonic missile, usaexport

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