Japan to install new missiles on its submarines amid Russian military activity
Photo: Thomas Peter / Reuters
The Japanese Maritime Defense Forces will install new extended-range missiles on their submarines. This was reported by the Yomiuri agency according to sources in the Japanese government.
Several officials said the submarine's arsenal will expand with missiles capable of striking targets up to 1,000 kilometers away. As conceived by the developers, this will allow attacking enemy ships and ground military bases without the threat of returning fire.
The Department of Defense spent more than $ 340 million on their design and implementation. According to government officials, the submarines will be able to launch new missiles without rising from under the water, using torpedo launchers. Sources also stressed that the missiles were created to counter “hostile military activity.”
On November 25, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said that he was seriously concerned about the growing military activity of Russia and China near the Japanese borders. According to him, in the shadow Russia several times sent its aviation and navy to the Japanese shores.
On October 22, five Russian and five Chinese ships sailed along the Tsugaru Strait between the two islands of the Japanese archipelago as part of a joint exercise. In addition, Japanese Air Force (Air Force) self-defense fighters raised the alarm after Russian and Chinese helicopters separated from the squadron and flew 50 to 100 kilometers from the country's border.
The Japanese Defense Ministry called these maneuvers the most “unprecedented show of force” in recent years, and also declared a threat to regional security. On November 21, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed concern about Russian and Chinese aircraft patrolling the waters of the Japan and East China Seas.
