Japan accelerates Type 12 deployment

The upgraded Type 12 SSM will have a range of 1,000 km. The original version (pictured above) has a range of 200 km. While the original Type 12 SSM was designed as a land-based anti-ship missile, the upgraded variant can be launched from land, aircraft, and surface combatants. (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force)

The Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has accelerated the deployment of the upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (SSM) by a year, the MoD said in a press release in mid-December.

According to the MoD, the missile’s deployment – originally scheduled in 2026 – has been accelerated to 2025 to strengthen stand-off defence capabilities.

With the early deployment of Type 12, Japan aims to strengthen its counter-strike missile capabilities as part of its National Defense Strategy (NDS) to address rising military threats posed by China, North Korea, and Russia.

In April the MoD signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to develop and mass-produce upgraded Type 12 SSMs.