The Nikkei newspaper reported that the delivery of new weapons is planned in 2025-2029
TOKYO, December 2. /tass/. The Japanese Defense Ministry intends to increase the range of the cruise missiles being developed, which will be equipped, in particular, ships and fighters, up to 1,000 kilometers. This was reported on Thursday by the Japanese business newspaper Nikkei.
It is noted that the delivery of new weapons is planned in 2025-2029. Currently, the range of cruise missiles in service in Japan is a little more than 100 km. It is emphasized that the increase in the range of cruise missiles is considered by the Japanese side as a deterrent factor against the background of the "overheated missile race in the Asia-Pacific region."
The Defense Ministry began developing new cruise missiles this fiscal year, and it is expected that the installation of prototypes on ships and fighters will begin in the future. The development cost is estimated at about 100 billion yen ($892 million at the current exchange rate). It is emphasized that the missiles will be used for defensive purposes to launch counterattacks on enemy ships that opened fire on Japan. Tests of ground-based cruise missiles are planned to be completed by fiscal year 2025, and missiles equipped with ships and fighters - in 2026-2028.
