The U.S. Army's Long-Range Firepower and Japan's Type 12 Missile Will Change the Defense of the First Island Chain in 2026
Tanaka TakashiThe U.S. Army's Long-Range Fires and Japan's Type 12 Missile Will Change the Defense of the First Island Chain in 2026
From Hokkaido to Balabac Island in the Philippines, the U.S. Army is increasing training with long-range fires. This is not merely an expeditionary training for the Army. The concept of placing dispersed launchers along the island chain and protecting sea lines of communication (SLOC) without solely relying on naval vessels has reached the Japan-U.S. operational level.
From "Iron Fist" to Long-Range Fires
According to Defense News, the U.S. military expanded training using long-range weapons in various locations along the First Island Chain in October 2026. In Japan, plans have been reported to deploy U.S. Marine Corps ground-launched anti-ship and air defense systems in the southwestern region during the "Keen Sword" exercise in October. The key point here is not to gather large forces in the same location, but to disperse sensors, command posts, and launchers, allowing for the concentration of firepower only when necessary.
The focus on the Japanese side is the enhanced Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile with extended range capabilities. The range is said to expand from approximately 200 kilometers for conventional types to around 1,000 kilometers, transforming the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's launchers from defensive weapons waiting for the approach of naval vessels to means of preemptively denying access to maritime areas. However, even with an extended range, if target information is delayed, the ability to hit the target does not increase. The practical core will be how to connect U.S. satellites, aircraft, naval vessels, and Japan's patrol aircraft.
Separating Capability from Intent
As the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier and surface ship forces expand their activities in waters around Japan, the dispersed firepower of Japan and the U.S. raises the cost of approach. However, this does not immediately mean a blockade. In peacetime, deterrence must be demonstrated through exercises and monitoring, while in times of crisis, rapid decision-making for launches must occur politically and militarily. If U.S. long-range fires and Japan's Type 12 are operated separately, they will only represent individual threats to the adversary. It is only when target information, rules of engagement, reloading, and communication redundancy are integrated that it becomes a single operation.
On the other hand, the shift to long-range capabilities also highlights the vulnerabilities of bases. While launchers in the southwestern islands can be mobile, fuel, ammunition, maintenance personnel, and the ability to restore runways and ports do not move. Compared to discussions about increasing the number of vessels, these logistical numbers tend to receive less attention. In the author's view, what determines the deterrent capability of the First Island Chain is not the maximum range of missiles, but the supply capability to keep dispersed forces operational for over 72 hours.
The Challenges of the Alliance Lie Outside the Launchers
The Japan-U.S. alliance has moved from the stage of assembling "shootable weapons" to the stage of sharing "who will shoot, with what information, and when." The Ministry of Defense and the U.S. military need to conduct command training based not only on demonstrating the deployment of launchers during exercises but also on scenarios involving communication disruptions, satellite jamming, and port damage. The true blind spot is not a lack of range. It is the mismatch in the speed of political decision-making and the updating of information on the ground.
Reference Information
The U.S. Army is enhancing its training with long-range artillery and missile systems from Hokkaido to the Philippines, focusing on decentralized deployment. Japan's Type 12 missile capabilities are being upgraded to extend their range significantly. This military collaboration aims to improve deterrence against Chinese naval forces in the region, emphasizing the importance of logistics and rapid decision-making in military operations.
- U.S. Army is increasing training with long-range artillery from Hokkaido to the Philippines.
- Japan's Type 12 missile range is being extended from 200 km to 1000 km.
- The focus is on decentralized deployment of launchers and command centers.
- The U.S. and Japan are enhancing their military coordination and response capabilities.
- Logistical support is crucial for maintaining operational readiness.