Japan Plans to Develop a Multi-Method Collaborative Air Defense System

According to a report by Reference News Network on August 28, Japan's Ministry of Defense reported on August 25 that it will begin the development of a new interception system, the "Close Range Air Defense System" (CRADS), starting in the fiscal year 2027, to address threats from drone and missile attacks. This system will integrate interceptors with varying ranges and costs, including intercept missiles, cannons, and laser weapons, to create a mechanism that can automatically select the best interception method based on the on-site situation. Relevant funding has been included in the budget estimates for the fiscal year 2027.

The report states that the core background of this initiative is the severe threat posed by "swarm attacks," where a large number of drones are deployed simultaneously, and "saturation attacks," where a large number of missiles are launched almost simultaneously. In recent military conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, how to counter the combined strikes of drones and missiles has become a significant issue. The core idea of CRADS is to combine various interception methods with different characteristics: while intercept missiles have a longer range, they are expensive per shot and have limited payload; in contrast, cannons have a shorter range but are cheaper and can continuously unleash a large number of shells.

Additionally, at extremely close ranges, the system will utilize laser weapons that are currently under development. Since laser weapons do not consume ammunition, they are not easily constrained by the traditional weapon stockpile, although their range is shorter than that of missiles and cannons. CRADS aims to leverage these differences in characteristics to collaborate based on target distance and specific situations, adapting to the enemy's tactics, thereby significantly enhancing the capability to strike a large number of incoming targets. The new system is expected to be equipped with the Ground Self-Defense Force and is planned to be mounted on vehicle platforms to ensure mobility, striving to create a mobile system that can provide air defense barriers anywhere and anytime while advancing with troops, in addition to protecting fixed air defense positions.

The report indicates that in addition to CRADS, the Japanese Ministry of Defense also plans to advance a "High-Power Microwave" verification project starting in the fiscal year 2027 to counter drones. This technology damages the internal electronic control systems of drones by directing strong microwave beams, rendering them inoperable. As an important means to counter a large number of small drones, this technology is currently under in-depth research. Given that relying solely on traditional intercept missiles can easily lead to high costs and rapid depletion of ammunition when facing a massive number of low-cost drones, introducing more affordable and sustainable interception methods has become an urgent priority.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense is also promoting the introduction of "decoys" (false targets) that mimic the appearance of Self-Defense Force interception devices and fighter jets. This initiative aims to present a large number of false targets to the attacking side to divert their firepower, thereby reducing the damage to real equipment and facilities.

The report states that the most notable feature of CRADS is its integration of complementary interception methods, such as cannons and laser weapons, rather than relying solely on missiles. In the face of the new threat posed by a massive number of drones and missiles potentially attacking simultaneously, Japan's close-range air defense system is transitioning to a multi-layered model of multi-method collaboration. (Translation/Chen Rui)