Japan recently conducted the first test of its hypersonic weapon in the United States, and the two countries are now planning to co-develop interceptors to shoot down hypersonic missiles. “We have recently conducted a pre-launch test of a high-velocity gliding missile for island defence,” an official of Japan’s Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) said.
The development of a counter-hypersonic capability is a pressing need for both countries to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Following the test, the United States Department of Defence (DoD) and Japan Ministry of Defence (MOD) have finalized a formal agreement for a Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) cooperative development project arrangement under the U.S.-Japan bilateral memorandum of understanding for research, development, test and evaluation projects. “The Ministry of Defence and the Self-Defence Forces are strengthening the stand-off defence capabilities in order to quickly and remotely intercept and eliminate invading forces against our country,” the ATLA official added.
In order to quickly build up this capability, Japan has also signed an agreement with the U.S. to acquire up to 50 AGM-158B/B-2 joint air-to-surface standoff missiles with extended range (JASSM-ER) through an FMS contract. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin.
Recently, Kasugahara Daiki, assistant commissioner of ATLA, said that “under the stand-off defence capabilities, Japan’s effort to develop a hypersonic system is at its initial research stage. We envisage an early realization of the system and make it operational within the next 10 years.” “Various research and tests, including combustion flight tests, are being carried out, aimed at developing scramjet engine technologies for the system,” Daiki said. One of the planned military applications of this technology is the development of a hypersonic cruise missile and high-speed glide bombs for island defence. “We also want to develop high-speed glide bombs, with long ranges and make them capable of traveling at supersonic speeds and high altitudes from various points in the country to deal with threats,” he said.
Japan’s ballistic missile defence (BMD) is basically supported by an effective multi-layered defence system composed of the upper tier interception by Aegis-equipped destroyers and the lower tier interception by Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), both of which are interconnected and coordinated by the Japan Aerospace Defence Ground Environment (JADGE). Japan has begun developing its Missile Defence (MD) system since JFY2004 to be fully prepared for the response against ballistic missile attacks.
Japan has steadily built up its own defence system against ballistic missile attacks, by such means as installing ballistic missile defence capability in the Aegis destroyers and deploying PAC-3. For a response to ballistic missiles, the Self Defence Forces (SDF) maintain a multi-layered air defence system with eight Aegis-equipped destroyers and PAC-3 units across the country. The SDF also maneuvers and deploys those vessels and units that are allocated for stationed sites’ air defence to respond to the situation.
When destruction measures against ballistic missiles, etc. are ordered, the Joint Task Force (JTF)-BMD will be organized with the Commander of the Air Defence Command serving as the JTF Commander, and effective defence measures will be taken under a unified command through JADGE.
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