As regional tensions with China and North Korea intensify, Japan is making significant strides in advancing its hypersonic weapons capabilities. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) recently announced the successful flight tests of its Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) aimed at bolstering island defense.
In a statement released in Japanese, the MOD highlighted that these stand-off missiles, essential for neutralizing threats from afar, met all performance expectations. The timeline set by Japan's defense officials targets the completion of HGV research by 2025, while mass production already commenced in 2023.
A Landmark in Hypersonic Advancement
In a pivotal development last July, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA) unveiled footage of a triumphant test launch of their Hypersonic Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP). This event marked a considerable milestone in Japan’s hypersonic arsenal expansion, involving the “Block 1” variant, with future plans extending its reach by 2030.
Reaching Distances of 900 km
With a maximum range of 900 km, the HVGP is set to join Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) in 2026. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries spearheads its production and has been accelerating its efforts. Offering historical context, Japan unveiled two core hypersonic weapons back in March 2020: the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) and the HVGP. The HCM boasts a scramjet engine, empowering it to achieve tremendous speeds.
While visually similar to conventional cruise missiles, HVGP's superior speed and range set it apart. Its solid-fuel rocket engine ensures high velocity as it homes in on targets. Strategically, these hypersonic weapons play an indispensable role in Japan's defensive capabilities, albeit at significant financial expense.
Distinguishing HGV from HCM
Japan’s advancements in missile technology are evident in its development of the HGV and HCM:
1. HGV: Deployed via ballistic missiles, they reach speeds up to Mach 20 and possess the ability to glide and dodge interceptive measures. They can maneuver unpredictably if aided by sufficient energy reserves upon nearing their targets.
2. HCM: Driven by ramjet or scramjet engines, these missiles maintain speeds above Mach 6 and require booster systems for initial acceleration, enabling steep, rapid assaults on designated targets.
Heightened Geopolitical Strains with China and Russia
Japan's geopolitical interactions with China and Russia are marked by longstanding territorial disputes, particularly over islands, leading to frequent standstills. Japan's strategic alliance with the United States, which perceives China and Russia as primary adversaries, adds complexity to these relationships.
As the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet remains stationed in Japan, the threat of these nations targeting Japan during possible hostilities underscores the significance of hypersonic weapons as a vital deterrent.