Japan launched two Type 88 anti-ship missiles against a decommissioned vessel last Wednesday (6) during the Balikatan 2026 exercise in the Philippines.
The missile launch took place from the sand dunes of Culili Point, south of the city of Laoag in northwestern Luzon, according to a report by Naval News. A single 6×6 launcher vehicle belonging to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) fired a pair of missiles at a decommissioned ship located 75 km away in the South China Sea.
The target was the BRP Quezon (PS-70), a former Philippine Navy vessel that was previously an Auk-class minesweeper of the U.S. Navy. The ship was successfully hit six minutes after launch and was sunk by the pair of Japanese missiles, according to authorities.
This exercise was one of the concluding events of the Balikatan exercise, an annual series of multinational war training drills held in the Philippines. This year’s exercise took place from April 20 to May 8 and involved approximately 17,000 troops from seven countries.
This marked the first time Japanese combat troops actively participated in the Balikatan exercise, which until recently involved only Australia, the Philippines, and the United States. Other countries making their debut in the 2026 exercise were Canada, France, and New Zealand.
The Type 88, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), is a relatively old anti-ship missile system, having been in service for more than 35 years. It will gradually be replaced by the newer and more capable Type 12, also produced by MHI.
“We saw how it works, and it is something we can engage with in the future. From planning to training and resource management, it will only become smoother and better,” said Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines, who witnessed the live-fire exercise on May 6.
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Photo: Philippine Department of Defense. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
