TSAMTO, November 10. Japan plans to modernize its anti-aircraft missile systems in service to ensure the interception of hypersonic gliding munitions that are being developed by China and Russia.
This is reported by Kyodo News with reference to informed sources.
According to the publication, by April 2029, the government intends to start mass production of upgraded medium-range missiles "Type-03", which are in service with the Ground Self-Defense Forces, after updating the software of launchers by 2026.
As part of efforts to build the capacity of the "integrated air and missile defense", the Government will include the modernization of interceptor missiles in the "National Security Strategy", which is planned to be amended by the end of this year.
According to a high-ranking source in the Self-Defense Forces, Japan's existing missile defense potential does not allow it to effectively intercept hypersonic gliding munitions, the speed of which is more than five times the speed of sound.
Currently, the destroyers of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces, equipped with the "Injis" system with SM-3 interceptors, are tasked with hitting approaching missiles in the outer layers of the atmosphere. If the interception fails, the attack will be repelled by ground-based Patriot PAC-3 Air Self-Defense Forces.
The Type-03 SAM with a firing range of 50 km was adopted by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces in 2006 and was mainly intended for intercepting aircraft. The missiles were upgraded for the first time in 2017 to combat cruise missiles flying at low altitudes and high-speed projectiles.
During the planned modernization, the capabilities of the Type-03 complexes for detecting, predicting the flight path of hypersonic munitions and their support will be improved.
Despite this, it remains unclear whether the upgraded missiles will be able to withstand hypersonic munitions, as the race between the major powers in the development of hypersonic weapons intensifies, and technology will continue to evolve.
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamadu and his American counterpart Lloyd Austin reached an agreement during negotiations in September this year to conduct joint research in the field of hypersonic weapons technologies.
Faced with growing security threats in the region, including the buildup of China's armed forces, the launches of ballistic missiles by the DPRK, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised to "fundamentally" increase the defense potential by significantly increasing the defense budget.
As reported by TSAMTO, the main means of destroying the Type-03 SAM (Chu-SAM/ Sam-4) is a 570-kg solid-fuel rocket with a length of 4.9 m and a diameter of 0.32 m. It allows you to intercept targets at ranges up to 50 km and altitudes up to 10 km.
