East View Military Situation | Japan Accelerates Development of Submarine-Launched Missiles, "Exclusive Defense" Has Become a Mere Formality

According to reports from Kyodo News, The Tokyo Shimbun, and other Japanese media on August 19, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's budget request for the fiscal year 2027 has been revealed in advance. To strengthen the so-called "capability to attack enemy bases," the Self-Defense Forces will develop and equip submarine-launched hypersonic missiles. Wei Dongxu, a military commentator for China Central Television, believes that Japan's development and deployment of covert, underwater-strike hypersonic missiles provide substantial support for the rise and expansion of "new militarism."

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To attack other countries from underwater, submarines will stealthily fire the first shot

Wei Dongxu believes that based on the current "Defense Force Preparation Plan," Japan's annual defense budget will further increase, possibly exceeding 10 trillion yen. The ambitions of the Kishida government to expand the military and engage in external military actions are evident.

The "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Projectile" launch vehicle, capable of mobile deployment.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has identified the development and equipping of submarine-launched hypersonic missiles as one of its "re-militarization" goals. The Ministry believes that underwater combat platforms are less likely to be attacked by the enemy and are suitable for implementing long-range fire strikes. The Ministry is developing a "missile vertical launch module" for the Maritime Self-Defense Force, which can be embedded in conventional submarines and large unmanned underwater vehicles. Currently, the Ground Self-Defense Force has equipped the "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Projectile," which has a range of 600 to 800 kilometers for the basic model of this vehicle-mounted hypersonic missile. By 2027, an improved version equipped with a wave-riding body warhead will have a range of 2000 kilometers, becoming the most formidable standoff strike weapon in Japan's arsenal.

It now appears that the improvements to the "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Projectile" not only include increased range but also generalization modifications. Once the submarine-launched version of the "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Projectile" matures, it can be embedded in the "Oh Whale" class lithium-ion battery submarines with a displacement of over 3000 tons. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's underwater combat platforms will be able to quietly approach the waters of other countries and use long-range, penetration-capable missiles to launch surprise attacks on high-value targets in deep areas. The concept of using large unmanned underwater vehicles to carry long-range missiles is even more dangerous. This is because large unmanned underwater vehicles have stronger concealment than submarines and do not pose a risk of personnel casualties. It is evident that the Japanese Ministry of Defense has already selected the combat platform for "firing the first shot" in external military actions.

Japan tests the "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Projectile"

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Japan attempts to use "AUKUS" to cover its true intentions

To accelerate the rapid upgrade of hypersonic missile technology, Japan has begun cooperation with Australia. On August 18, Japanese Defense Minister Kōizumi Shinjiro held talks with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles in Canberra. The two sides reached an agreement on the Japan Self-Defense Forces conducting test launches of long-range missiles within Australian territory for the so-called "strengthening counterattack capability (capability to attack enemy bases)."

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force "Oh Whale" class submarine

Wei Dongxu believes that the second pillar of the "AUKUS" defense cooperation framework includes a joint development project for hypersonic missiles. Japan has joined the cooperation framework of the second pillar of "AUKUS." To improve and upgrade hypersonic missiles, Japan needs vast, sparsely populated weapon testing grounds and to introduce more advanced and mature technologies. In both of these areas, Australia can provide assistance. Australia has large weapon testing grounds and has been collaborating with the United States on hypersonic missile development for over 15 years.

Wei Dongxu believes that Japan, under the guise of "strengthening counterattack capability," is accelerating the development of offensive weapons using the "AUKUS" platform, and the so-called "exclusive defense" has long been a mere formality. The international community must expose and refute its schemes to break through the constraints of the pacifist constitution under the pretense of "cooperation."

Commentator｜Wei Dongxu

Editor｜Wang Yiming

Reviewed by｜Yang Qiong

Supervised by｜Cai Yaoyuan