Japan is on track to equip its submarines with long-range cruise missiles, revealed a report from the site TWZ.
According to the report, Japan has already signed contracts for the mass production of a new stand-off capability for its submarine fleet, in addition to upgraded anti-ship missiles for its destroyers.
Both weapons come as the country strengthens its ability to strike enemy land targets and surface warships, in an effort to combat growing threats, primarily from China and North Korea.
The announcement was made by Japan’s Ministry of Defense on Tuesday (7). According to TWZ, both contracts were awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the contracts are part of an effort to “strengthen […] long-range defense capabilities to intercept and eliminate invading forces against Japan at an early stage and from a long distance.”
The white paper, released last Thursday (9), further emphasizes that “Japan will acquire capabilities to deal with vessels and landing forces invading Japan, including its remote islands, from locations outside of threat zones.”
As part of this, the document calls for the continued development of the updated Type 12, with the goal of completing the development of the ship-launched version of the missile by the end of Japan’s fiscal year 2026, which ends on March 31.
Photo and video: U.S. Army. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
