Key facts
- US military to deploy Typhon midrange missile systems to Japan for joint exercises.
- Missile launchers will remain in Japan after the drills, signaling increased US deterrence against China.
- The deployment includes the Typhon system, NMESIS, and Himars rocket systems.
- Exercises are part of the Resolute Dragon, Valiant Shield, and Orient Shield drills.
- This move represents a policy shift for Japan, aligning with its 2022 National Security Strategy.
- The Typhon system can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles (1,600 km range) and SM-6 interceptor missiles.
The U.S. military is set to deploy its advanced Typhon midrange missile systems to Japan for joint exercises, with the launchers slated to remain in the country. This deployment, part of upcoming drills like Resolute Dragon, Valiant Shield, and Orient Shield, signifies a strengthening of U.S. deterrence efforts against China and a notable shift in Japan's long-standing defense policy.
The Typhon system, capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers and SM-6 interceptor missiles, will be joined by the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and the Himars rocket system. These systems will be utilized in exercises across Okinawa Prefecture and other regions, focusing on scenarios such as retaking remote islands.
This move aligns with Japan's 2022 National Security Strategy, which called for acquiring "counterstrike capabilities" and increasing defense spending in response to what it describes as an "unprecedented" challenge from China. Experts note that China's growing military activities and its substantial arsenal of medium- and intermediate-range missiles are key drivers behind Japan's policy adjustments.
The deployment comes after the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which had banned land-based missiles with ranges of 500-5,500 kilometers. While the U.S. has been developing new capabilities to counter China's missile buildup, Japan's willingness to host these systems for training marks a significant evolution in its security posture.