On 19th December, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) of the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the development for the land-based variant of the Improved Type 12 Surface to Ship Missile has completed.
Although Japan is eager to introduce various domestic and foreign Stand-off Missiles in recent years, due to the fact that the local weapon ranges in Japan cannot support long range missile testing. Until a more suitable local range becomes operational, the ATLA has to conduct the all live firing tests of their missiles, including this 1000km range class missile in other suitable ranges overseas. As previously reported by NAntiaval News, Japan plans to establish a new domestic test range near the waters near the island of Minamitori-shima to overcome the current range limitation challenge.
The improved Type 12 missile being launched from an operational-representative launch vehicle. ATLA photo.
As part of the live firing test, the ATLA launched 7 Improved Type 12 missiles in Southern California on the US west coast from 8th October to 27th November. By making use of the Point Mugu Sea Range with its vast scale and support assets, Japan was able to conduct all the necessary checkouts of the missile in the desired test environments.
With the completion of the land-based variant of the missile, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force plans to equip the 5th Surface-to-Ship Missile Regiment (SSMR) of Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture with the first lot of operational rounds next year, followed by the 8th SSMR in Oita Prefecture and the 7th SSMR in the Okinawa Prefecture in the upcoming years.
Apart from the land-based variant, for the Air Self-Defense Force, the first batch of Mitsubishi F-2s will also be equipped with air-launched improved Type 12 deployed in Hyakuri Air Base in FY2027. The Akizuki class General-purpose Destroyer, JS Teruzuki (DD-116) will also be the first ship of the Maritime Self-Defense Force to receive the sea-based variant of the improved Type 12 in FY2027 after receiving her upgrade. In addition, the Kongo class Guided Missile Destroyer, JS Chokai (DDG-176) will complete her integration of the US Tomahawk cruise missile next year with the live firing test planned to conduct in the next summer in Point Mugu.
AloJapan.com