Image source: topwar.ru
The Japanese Defense Ministry has released footage showing the test launch of an improved version of the Type 12 SSM (Upgraded) land-based anti-ship missile, which is currently under development.
As explained in the military department, to date, five launch tests of the new PKR have been conducted, which took place between the beginning of October and the beginning of November 2024 on the island of Niijima.
The range of the basic version of the Type 12 was about 200 kilometers. The new upgraded version should reach a range of at least 900 km, and eventually surpass a thousand km, reaching a distance of up to 1200 km.
The shape of the missile has been modified to reduce EPR and increase its stealth. The new modification is equipped with a "data update management system" (UDTC), which allows you to receive information about the location of a target via satellite communication during flight and more accurately attack moving objects.
Image source: topwar.ru
The decision to upgrade the Type 12 missile was made by the Japanese government in 2020, mainly amid rising tensions with China. The improved version should be safe for the carrier to attack enemy warships beyond the range of enemy anti-aircraft missiles.
In addition to developing a ground-based version, it is planned to create modifications of the Type 12 SSM (Upgraded) for placement on ships and aircraft. Work on the ground version has been underway since 2021 with a plan to complete it in fiscal year 2025, the ship version is being created from 2022 with commissioning in 2026, and the aviation version from 2024 to 2028, respectively.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the ground modification should begin to enter the army by March 2026.
