The global market for these munitions is experiencing an era of prosperity and expansion of the choice of offers
A new Type-88 anti-ship missile was tested in Japan. And this is far from the only novelty in this niche of long-range weapons. Over the past few years, new players have appeared on the global market of manufacturers of such ammunition — in addition to Japan, this is primarily Norway and even Taiwan. About what kind of missiles are being created in these countries, what capabilities they have, as well as about their export prospects — in the Izvestia material.
The defended island
This week, Japan tested a new Type-88 anti—ship missile, replacing the well-known American Harpoon with a range of 150 km, which has been in service with the coastal Defense forces since the 1990s. It was launched as part of the exercises of the country's self-defense forces from a training ground on the island of Hokkaido towards the Pacific Ocean.
Earlier, Japan had tested a more modern modification of the SSM Type 12 missile with a range of up to 1,000 km. It is completely new: the flight of the munition along a given trajectory and the accuracy of hitting the target are provided by complementary systems — active radar and satellite. Such a missile can be used equally effectively both against ships and against any coastal objects.
SSM Type 12 Missile
Image Source: Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/Министерство Defense of Japan
The SSM Type 12 is designed to meet the requirements for reducing radar visibility, which makes it difficult to detect and intercept a missile. The launcher carries eight such munitions, and Japan's main focus is that the missile is designed to protect the coast of its islands from attacking ships of enemy fleets.
The entire East China Sea and even part of eastern China are being fired from the southwestern islands with such ammunition. First of all, this missile was designed to counter the Chinese navy.
Taiwan Supersonic missile
Taiwan is also building new anti-ship missiles against China. Not only does the country receive, as well as Japan, Harpoon missiles for coastal missile systems, it also invests serious efforts in creating its own anti-ship missiles.
This is due to the fact that in the case of China's operation to liberate Taiwan, surface ships will mainly be used. For this reason, the latter needs effective missiles that could overcome the air defenses of the Chinese fleet.
Xiongfeng-3 missile battery installed on board Taiwan's military frigate
Image source: Photo: Getty Images/Alberto Buzzola/Contributor
One of these was the supersonic Xiongfeng-3, which was put into service in 2011. It is similar in design to the Russian X-31 and is equipped with a ramjet engine. The flight speed is equal to two speeds of sound, which makes it a difficult target for air defense. The range is only 150 km, but this is enough for Taiwan to protect its shores. The missile is placed on high-speed ships and on land-based launchers. Work is still underway to adapt the rocket for launch from aircraft.
But neither Taiwan nor Japan has any missile modifications for export yet. It seems that they created such missiles for their own armed forces.
Norwegian missile against ships
Unlike Norway, which is successfully promoting its modern NSM (Naval strike missile) anti-ship missile with a range of up to 185 km to foreign markets. It is purchased by the USA, Holland, Great Britain, Australia, Belgium, Lithuania, Poland and more. A compact and relatively inexpensive modern rocket.
Naval Strike Missile Anti-ship Missile
Image source: Photo: TASS/ROBERT GHEMENT
The small size and modern stealth configuration of the rocket body make it inconspicuous. At the final stage of the flight, it destroys the target using an infrared homing head, in whose memory images of the vast majority of modern ships are embedded. And on the march, the rocket is guided by a satellite navigation system and an inertial autopilot. The re-export of these missiles from Poland to Ukraine was discussed, but apparently the Poles do not intend to share their defense potential yet.
NSM missile manufacturer — Kongsberg Defense Company & Aerospace is now actively promoting its product in different countries. In particular, missile variants for launching from surface ships and land-based launchers are already being supplied, and the company plans to export options for launching from aircraft and submarines in the future. Orders for NSM are scheduled until 2030.
The advantage of the Russian-Indian anti-ship missile
Another missile that successfully enters foreign markets is the Russian—Indian BrahMos anti-ship missile. It is in service with the Indian Navy, Air Force and Coastal Defense Forces. It is also used for strikes against ground targets.
An Indian company of the same name is engaged in its production and promotion, and there have been some successes over the past few years. In particular, the missile in the variant for the coastal missile system is supplied to the Philippines. The signing of contracts in Indonesia and Vietnam is also being actively discussed. Theoretically, deliveries to other countries are also possible in the future.
BrahMos Supersonic Anti-ship missile
Image source: Photo: TASS/Ruslan Shamukov
BrahMos is a supersonic anti—ship missile, an analogue of the Russian Onyx. The range of the export version is up to 300 km. BrahMos have proven to be effective in the recent India-Pakistan clash as well. Apparently, none of them were intercepted by Pakistan's air defenses.
India has recently opened a new factory for the production of BrahMos, which will produce at least 100 missiles per year. This is likely to reduce the company's dependence on the supply of components from Russia, or simply allows it to increase the pace of production of sought-after missiles.
In addition, both Koreas and Turkey are developing missiles. This is evidenced by the ambitions and capabilities of the Turkish military-industrial complex, which in recent years have been focused on rocket science, the creation of new aircraft models, the production of tanks and other equipment. So the global anti-ship missile market is experiencing a flourishing era and expanding the choice of offers. The leading powers are looking at this with some apprehension, but they can hardly do anything about it. Unless you start buying missiles on the side yourself, like the United States.
Dmitry Kornev
Bogdan Stepovoy
