Latest news with #HVGP
India.com
01-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Big worry for China and Pakistan as India's friend develops new missile which can..., speed is...
(Representational image: Oscar Sosa US NAVY AFP) New Delhi: India's friend Japan has taken a big leap in the world of hypersonic missiles. India and Japan are members of QUAD and both have a common enemy, China, so this hypersonic missile will not let China relax. What is the mobile hypersonic missile? Japan has unveiled its new mobile hypersonic missile, Hyper Velocity Guided Projectile (HVGP), which has changed East Asia's defense strategy. According to a report by Asia Times, Japan's announcement about the HVGP hypersonic missile means that Japan has changed its strategy. Now it has moved out of its defensive strategy and tried an offensive strategy, which includes the ability to launch offensive attacks if needed. Experts consider it not just a technological leap, but a complete change in Japan's decades-old policy of 'not having an army'. What are features of HVGP missile? The biggest feature of the HVGP missile is its high speed and ability to attack at very long distances. This missile flies at Mach 5 i.e. five times the speed of sound and currently its range is 900 kilometers, which will be increased to 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers in the coming years. This means that Japan can now not only protect its coasts, but can also destroy Chinese naval bases, North Korean missile bases and even the threat spread in the Indo-Pacific region. Also, it will come handy as a deterrent to the nuclear threat from North Korea. How will it counter China? The Chinese Navy, especially its aircraft carrier group, has so far been trying to dominate the South China Sea to the East China Sea region. China protects itself in three levels, 1- J-15 fighter jets in the outer circle, 2- destroyers and submarines in the middle circle, and 3- near-enemy weapon systems and anti-submarine defense in the inner circle. Pakistan has also partially adopted this model, due to which its navy remains China-dependent. But Japan's HVGP missile has weakened this entire structure. Its speed is so high that the Chinese radar and interceptor systems will not have time to react. That is, all three defense layers will be rendered useless one after the other. The guiding system in this missile is so accurate that it can hit a moving submarine or an aircraft carrier moving in the sea. Experts believe that this missile will give a big blow to China's traditional naval superiority. How will it trouble Pakistan? Pakistan has strengthened its missile system, radar, and navy in recent years with the cooperation of China. But missiles like Japan's HVGP are a big challenge for Pakistan's current defense capabilities. The platforms in the Pakistan Navy, such as frigates and submarines based on Chinese design, are helpless in front of high-speed missiles like HVGP. Moreover, if HVGP is combined with US intelligence and satellite systems, then this missile can disable Pakistani military bases, naval bases and missile batteries in the 'first strike' itself. Since India and Japan have a deep defense cooperation and both are QUAD partners, this missile would also trouble Pakistan, which has very weak air defense systems.
AllAfrica
27-06-2025
- Business
- AllAfrica
Japan's new hypersonic missile aims at China's navy, NoKo nukes
Japan has unveiled a mobile hypersonic missile system designed to outmaneuver China's layered carrier defenses and threaten North Korea's survivable nuclear arsenal, marking a decisive shift from a purely defensive posture to a counterstrike capability. This month, Asian Military Review reported that at Fuji Firepower 2025, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) unveiled the ground-launched Hyper Velocity Guided Projectile (HVGP), a mobile hypersonic strike missile system developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under contract from Japan's Advanced Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA). The HVGP program, launched in 2018, marked its first successful test firing in early 2024 at a US range. Its operational deployment has been advanced to 2026. The Block 1 HVGP, mounted on an 8×8 tactical truck with two containerized, solid-fuel boost-glide missiles, has a range of 500–900 km and reaches Mach 5. Upgraded variants, Block 2A and 2B, are planned for 2027 and 2030, with their ranges extended to 2,000 kilometers and 3,000 kilometers, respectively. The HVGP employs satellite and inertial navigation, with a naval-targeting variant using RF imaging derived from Doppler shift and a land-attack version deploying explosively formed projectiles. Both are designed for high-speed maneuvering post-boost. Planned deployments in Kyushu and Hokkaido underscore its strategic intent to counter regional threats. Concurrently, Japan is also developing the scramjet-powered Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCV) to extend strike capabilities further. These systems are at the core of Japan's revised defense strategy, which aims to safeguard its territorial integrity amid increasing regional security pressures. Previously, Asia Times reported that Japan announced four hypersonic missile tests conducted in California between August 2024 and January 2025. These systems are envisioned for strategic interdiction, counterforce, and even counter-leadership operations. In line with developing strategic interdiction capabilities, Japan has recently conducted the first domestic test firing of its short-range Type 88 anti-ship missile and plans to develop the long-range Type 12. However, James Conway and Jerry McAbee mention in a March 2024 RealClearDefense article that by 2030, subsonic cruise missiles and supersonic ballistic missiles may become obsolete against the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Japan's current arsenal of subsonic cruise and ballistic missiles faces significant limitations: subsonic cruise missiles allow a longer intercept window despite their maneuverability, while ballistic missiles, though fast, follow predictable arcs that are easier to track. These constraints justify Japan's shift toward maneuverable hypersonic systems, such as the HVGP. Underscoring this point, Daniel Rice's December 2024 report for the China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) highlights that the PLAN carrier strategy is built around a three-layer defense system, enabling increasingly autonomous and far-reaching blue-water operations. Rice explains that the carrier battlegroup's defenses are arranged in concentric zones: the 'Outer Defense Zone' (185–400 kilometers), maintained by submarines and J-15 fighters for long-range strikes and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); the 'Middle Defense Zone' (45–185 kilometers), secured by destroyers and frigates equipped with radar, vertical launch systems (VLS), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities; and the 'Inner Defense Zone' (100 meters–45 kilometers), protected by close-in weapons and point-defense systems. Aside from strategic interdiction, Japan's hypersonic weapons may be poised to play a critical role in its counterstrike capabilities against North Korea's nuclear arsenal. In a March 2024 article for the United States Studies Center (USSC), Masashi Murano notes that Japan's counterstrike capability focuses on long-range, conventional counterforce strikes against military assets, such as missile bases, rather than leadership or cities. To that end, Murano mentions that Japan is acquiring Tomahawk cruise missiles, improved Type 12 missiles, and hypersonic missiles. However, Murano cautions that Japan still faces deficiencies in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to hit time-sensitive targets such as transporter erector launchers (TEL), its counterstrike doctrine is still a work in progress, and the risks of escalation remain major issues it should tackle in building its counterstrike capabilities. In addition, North Korea has taken several measures to harden its nuclear arsenal against a pre-emptive counterforce strike. Hans Kristensen and other writers mention in a July 2024 article for the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists that North Korea is actively pursuing solid-fuel rocket intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), sea-based platforms such as nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), and tactical nuclear weapons, which together enhance survivability by making its arsenal more mobile, concealable, and less reliant on vulnerable fixed launch sites. Kristensen and others note that North Korea's deeply buried enrichment sites, continued fissile production, and development of tactical warheads all point to a doctrine that embraces redundancy and dispersion, hallmarks of a survivable deterrent. Given that sanctions and threats of military action have failed to dissuade the North Korean regime from continuing its nuclear program and stopping its belligerent behavior, some strategists argue that targeting the regime itself might compel behavioral change. In an April 2023 NK News commentary, Bruce Bennett notes that the Kim regime's prioritization of military buildup over basic human needs, along with exhortations to the North Korean public to sacrifice for the country's defense, reflects deep anxiety over regime survival and control. Bennett observes that deployments like MQ-9 Reaper drones in Japan, air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM) from B-52s flying over the Korean Peninsula, and Japan's new hypersonic systems may concern the Kim regime over its survival. Yet, as Lauren Sukin points out in a February 2024 article for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), North Korea's nuclear policy calls for automatic nuclear retaliation should its command and control system, including Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, be attacked. Sukin adds that the US, and by extension, its allies, forcing regime change on North Korea could end, at best, in an even more anti-US regime than that headed by Kim Jong Un. At worst, she says such attempts could result in regional instability or North Korea using chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. Japan's rollout of hypersonic strike weapons marks a significant moment in Northeast Asian security. While they offer a powerful conventional deterrent against China's carrier strike groups and North Korea's dispersed nuclear forces, they also heighten the risk of arms racing, strategic miscalculation, and regional instability.
India.com
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
This Asian country conducts hypersonic missile testing on its soil, not India, Pakistan, China, North Korea, name will surprise you, it is...
Representative Hypersonic missile image ( Source Oscar Sosa US NAVY AFP) Japan test fires Hyper-Velocity Gliding Projectile: In a historic set of events from Asia, Japan conducted its first ever hypersonic missile test on its soil. The missile test is being seen a response to growing threats of North Korea and China in the region. Notably, Japan demonstrated its new Hyper Velocity Guided Projectile (HVGP) missile, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under the guidance of Japan's Advanced Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) on June 24. Here are all the details you need to know about the features of the HVGP missile and Japan's Advanced Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA). Japan test fires Hyper-Velocity Gliding Projectile In a historic development on June 24, Japan successfully test-fired its first domestically developed hypersonic missile, the Hyper-Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP), during the Fuji Firepower 2025 drills. Marking a significant shift in its defense posture amid rising threats from China and North Korea, the indigenously made missile of Japan is capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5 and ranges up to 900 km (later versions up to 3,000 km). As per media reports, the missile will be deployed on mobile platforms in regions like Kyushu and Hokkaido. Japanese PM Ishiba decides to skip NATO Summit In another significant development related to Japan's security, Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, has cancelled his June 24-26 visit to Netherlands to attend the NATO Summit, the country's Foreign Ministry announced, indicating Japan's lessening hopes from NATO, as reported by IANS news agency. 'Prime Minister's visit to The Hague in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which was scheduled for June 24-26 to attend the NATO Summit, has been cancelled due to various circumstances,' read a statement issued by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. It mentioned that Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister Takeshi Iwaya will instead visit the Kingdom of the Netherlands to attend events related to the NATO Summit and also use the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with various countries, including the G7, to discuss current important international issues. Last week, Tokyo had announced that Ishiba will be visiting The Hague, which would be the fourth consecutive year that a Japanese Prime Minister will attend the NATO Summit, since Japan was first invited in 2022. (With inputs from agencies)
AllAfrica
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- AllAfrica
Japan's hypersonic arsenal getting up to speed
Japan is ramping up its hypersonic weapons program amid mounting threats from China and North Korea, but technological gaps and dependence on the US defense industry could slow progress. This month, Japan's Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced that it has successfully conducted flight tests for its island defense hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Four test launches were conducted at a site in California, with one launch in August 2024, two in November 2024 and one in January 2025. The stand-off missiles, designed to neutralize threats early and at long range, successfully demonstrated their expected flight performance, according to the Japanese language announcement. Japan's HGV research will be completed by 2025 while mass production has been underway since 2023. Previously, Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) released footage of a successful test launch of the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) in July 2024, signaling apparent significant hypersonic weaponry progress. The test showcased the 'Early Deployment Version (Block 1)' with plans for extended-range variants by 2030. The 900-kilometer-range HVGP will enter the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) service in 2026, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is reportedly speeding up the weapon's production. In March 2020, Japan unveiled two hypersonic weapon concepts: the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) and the HVGP. The HCM, powered by a scramjet engine, resembles conventional cruise missiles but offers higher speeds and longer ranges. Meanwhile, the HVGP features a solid-fuel rocket engine that propels its warhead and maintains high velocity while gliding to its target. At the tactical level, hypersonic weapons are essential to Japan's emerging counterstrike capabilities, although using them poses technical challenges. HGVs and HCMs showcase advanced missile technology. Launched from ballistic missiles, HGVs can hit speeds of up to Mach 20 and glide unpredictably to evade interception. They can perform evasive maneuvers in the terminal phase if energy allows. Conversely, HCMs utilize ramjets or scramjets for sustained speeds over Mach 6 and a booster for acceleration, enabling precise strikes in steep, fast dives. In a February 2021 RAND report, Satoru Mori and Shinichi Kitaoaka explain the tactical rationale for Japan's acquisition of hypersonic weapons. They mention that they can penetrate missile defenses and target critical infrastructure such as air and naval bases, logistics hubs and command centers. However, Masashi Murano points out in a March 2024 article for the Hudson Institute that Japan lacks several critical components needed for deep strike operations, such as escort jammers and sufficient aerial tankers. Murano notes that Japan has substantial gaps in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR-T) capabilities for hitting mobile, time-sensitive targets and still struggles to build warheads for hardened targets. While Japan is speeding up its hypersonic weapons program to guard against a potential conflict in its disputed islands with China and Russia, and to deter regional missile threats, it must also address its critical dependency on the US and defense industry constraints. As noted by Katsuhisa Furukawa in an April 2021 report for Open Nuclear Network, Japan could utilize hypersonic weapons to breach enemy defenses during a possible invasion of its remote islands, particularly in the Senkaku Islands contested with China. Furukawa suggests launching them at multiple trajectories from multiple platforms to maximize the advantages of hypersonic weapons. He says that while those weapons could conceivably strike missile storage and launch facilities in China and North Korea, maneuvering could reduce their ranges, necessitating air-launch platforms like the F-35. Furthermore, The Mainichi reported in December 2024 that Japan would earmark US$1.57 billion to speed up hypersonic weapons development. That amount is on top of $130 million allocated to mass-produce long-range missiles starting this April in FY 2025. Japan will allocate $110 million to mass-produce an improved version of its Type 12 extended-range shore-based anti-ship missile and $19.75 million for a submarine-launched version. However, Japan's defense industry faces significant challenges in achieving these goals. Gordon Arthur mentions in an article for Asia Military Review this month that Japan remains dependent on imported US weapons and that its defense industry is uncompetitive because of small order sizes from the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and self-imposed export restrictions. He mentions that Japan has implemented a direct financial support scheme for its defense manufacturers to address those shortfalls. However, Grant Newsham says Japan's long-term overreliance on the US has hobbled its ability to defend itself. He assesses that Japan cannot defend itself alone against China, let alone adding in North Korea and Russia, and that there is no substitute for the US defense 'services' in Asia. As for the strategic impact of Japan's counterstrike capabilities, Fabian Hoffman mentions in a May 2024 article for the peer-reviewed Journal of Strategic Studies that long-range conventional strike (LRS) weapons, such as cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, have four primary strategic functions: counter-population, strategic interdiction, counter-leadership and counterforce. He mentions that LRS weapons can weaken an adversary's will or capacity to resist by targeting enemy populations, critical infrastructure, leadership and military assets. Japan's National Security Strategy 2022 and National Defense Strategy 2022 outline the country's rationale for acquiring conventional counterstrike capabilities in a complex security environment. The National Security Strategy emphasizes the need for proactive measures to safeguard Japan's sovereignty and regional stability, citing escalating missile threats and geopolitical competition. Meanwhile, the National Defense Strategy highlights counterstrike capabilities as essential for deterring and disrupting missile attacks. It stresses that these capabilities will be used as a last resort under constitutional and self-defense principles to bolster deterrence while maintaining Japan's defense-oriented policy. At the same time, Japan's efforts to build counterstrike capabilities may stoke a regional arms race. Michiru Nishida mentions in a November 2023 article in the peer-reviewed Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament that China has expressed significant concerns about Japan's development of intermediate-range missiles, particularly regarding their dual-use nature, which means they could carry conventional or nuclear warheads, with some voices pushing for Japan to procure the latter. From China's perspective, Nishida says ensuring these missiles are not equipped with nuclear warheads is vital to avoid a regional arms race and reduce the risk of miscalculation. However, he says China remains skeptical of Japan's military intentions, perceiving these missile developments as a potential threat to its security and regional influence.
