Type-12 Missile: Amidst the increasing tension in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan seems to be making a major change in its military strategy. According to reports, Japan has started deploying its indigenous truck-mounted anti-ship missile system near the East China Sea. It is believed that this step may increase China’s strategic concerns as it shows Japan’s military policy moving beyond merely defensive scope.
What is Type-12 missile system and its technology?
This missile system is called Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile. It is a missile designed to target ships in the sea from land and is fired from a special truck launcher. It has been manufactured by Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The range of the current edition is said to be around 200 kilometers. It was initially developed to protect the coastal areas of Japan and is considered an advanced version of the older Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile.
Inertial navigation system and GPS based guidance has been used in the missile so that it can reach the target accurately. Apart from this, capabilities like modern radar technology and terrain matching have also been added to it.
Work on new version with 1000 km range
According to reports, Japan is now preparing an advanced version of Type-12 whose strike range can be up to about 1000 kilometers. This new model can be launched from all three platforms: land, ship and aircraft.
If this plan is completed then the missile may be capable of targeting not only sea vessels but also land targets. Due to this, a big change can be seen in Japan’s military capability.
Taiwan Strait may also come under target
It is being told that these missiles are being deployed in the Kumamoto area of ​​Kyushu island of Japan. If the advanced range edition is deployed, then the ships present in the East China Sea can be easily targeted from there.
Not only this, with the new range a large part of the Taiwan Strait can also come within the reach of these missiles. This would mean that if China’s navy moves towards Taiwan, Japan will have the ability to stop it from a distance.
Major change in post-war policy
After World War II, Japan limited its military policy to self-defense only. Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan also has a provision to limit the army mainly to defense.
But with the arrival of new long-range missiles, Japan may also have the ability to conduct a retaliatory or pre-emptive strike before a possible attack. This is considered a major change in Japan’s military thinking.
China sees this move as a strategic siege by the US and its allies. China believes that the increasing military cooperation between Japan, America, Australia and the Philippines is part of the same strategy.
At the same time, Japan argues that in view of China’s increasing military activities in the region and the expansion of its navy, it has become necessary to strengthen its defense capability.
Japan is also worried that China’s missiles could target its military bases. In such a situation, Tokyo now wants to develop such a capability so that it can respond immediately in case of danger.
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