Japan-US drill to start October to involve Japan's long-range missiles
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A major Japan-U.S. joint drill to start in October is expected to involve the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's long-range missile
A joint Japan-U.S. drill scheduled to commence in October will likely feature the deployment of Japan's long-range Type-25 surface-to-ship guided missiles, according to a Defense Ministry source. The Type-25 missiles, which were introduced to Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan in March, represent the nation's "counterstrike capabilities" to directly target enemy territory during emergencies.
For the forthcoming Keen Sword field training exercise between the U.S. military and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, the Defense Ministry is contemplating moving the missiles from Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture to the Oyanohara Maneuver Area within the same prefecture, as reported by the source. Both the U.S. military and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are anticipated to exchange information on the target and validate the launch procedures.
It is important to note that the exercise will not entail the actual firing of the missiles. In response to growing security concerns stemming from China's and North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile development programs, Japan has been progressively acquiring counterstrike capabilities and increasing its defense spending, marking a significant shift in its postwar security policy under the nation's pacifist Constitution.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
