The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) announced on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the first operational deployment of two new domestically developed long-range defense systems.
The systems previously known as “Type-12 Surface-to-Ship Guided Missile (surface-launched variants)” and “Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile” are now officially designated as “Type-25 Surface-to-Ship Guided Missile (25SSM)” and “Type-25 Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (25HGP)”.
According to the Japanese ground force, this marks the first deployment of these missiles as stand-off capabilities developed within the country.
According to the official statement, the move comes in response to an increasingly severe security environment around Japan.
The JGSDF states that the new systems are part of efforts to expand the country’s deterrence and response capabilities, with a focus on stand-off defense — the ability to strike threats at greater distances.
The move marks another step in Japan’s shift in defensive posture, with Tokyo accelerating the introduction of longer-range weapons amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
The Associated Press reported that Japan has begun deploying its first long-range missiles, while recent analyses point to 2026 as a key year for the entry into service of the first domestically developed systems of this new generation.
According to international media reports and specialized publications, the missile derived from the Type 12 has begun deployment in Kumamoto, while the 25HGP has been assigned to Camp Fuji, reinforcing Japan’s strategy of island defense and the development of longer-range counterstrike capabilities.
In the statement released by the JGSDF, the ground force emphasized that it will remain committed to protecting the safety of the Japanese population. The announcement also underscores the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s focus on domestically produced systems to support the country’s military modernization in the current regional strategic environment.
+ China conducts maiden flight of Changying-8, the country’s first 7-ton cargo drone
Source and images: Japan Ministry of Defense / JGSDF / @Japan_GSDF. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
