Japan Deploys New Surface-to-Air Guided Missiles in Okinawa... Deployment to Complete by March Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government announced on the 6th, according to Sankei Shimbun, that it will deploy new surface-to-air guided missiles in Okinawa. This measure is intended to protect Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military bases against potential Chinese attacks, with some units expected to be deployed as early as the second half of this year and full deployment completed by March next year.

According to the report, multiple Japanese government officials revealed yesterday that the government has selected Okinawa Main Island, adjacent to the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyu Islands), as the first deployment site for the upgraded version of the Ground Self-Defense Force's new air defense system, the "Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Guided Missile," which intercepts cruise missiles and fighter jets.

The 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment of the Ground Self-Defense Force stationed in Okinawa has anti-aircraft missile companies located in Nanj? City, Uruma City, and Okinawa City. The Ministry of Defense plans to sequentially replace the Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Guided Missiles held by these units with the upgraded version.

The upgraded version has a range of approximately 60 km or more, with improved missile interception capabilities against low-flying, high-speed targets and enhanced command and control functions compared to the existing missiles. An official from the Ground Self-Defense Force's General Staff Office (equivalent to the Joint Staff Office) explained about the upgraded version, "It enables faster and more numerous target interceptions."

Sankei reported that during a test launch conducted in 2015 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, USA, the interception rate of cruise missiles reached 100%.

Amid ongoing territorial disputes with China over the Senkaku Islands, the Japanese government anticipates a so-called "saturation attack" involving the mass launch of ballistic and cruise missiles if China attacks Okinawa Main Island. Japan has prepared a response posture including sea-based interceptor missiles (SM3), surface-to-air guided missiles Patriot (PAC3), and the upgraded Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Guided Missiles.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.