As per reports, Japan's defense ministry is planning to deploy missile units on an island
300 kilometers or around 185 miles off the coast of Taiwan.
The objective is to counter China's growing naval presence in the area and defend against
a potential Chinese attack.
The Japan News on Aug 3, reported that Tokyo intends to deploy Ground Self-Defense Force
(GSDF) missile units on the island of Ishigaki, which is only 306 km from Taoyuan Taiwan International
Airport.
The news service cited sources aware of the matter as saying that the new units will be
installed next year and it is likely that it would be supported by 500 to 600 Japan
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops.
In this video Defense Updates reports on Japan's move to deploy missiles near Taiwan to deter
China.
Let's get into the details.
This video is sponsored by War Thunder, the most comprehensive military vehicle online
game for PC, PlayStation4 and Xbox One, in which you can go to battle on more than 1200
playable aircraft, tanks, helicopters and ships from the 1930s to the 1990s.
The game has an amazing attention to detail and focuses on a realistic combat experience,
which is why knowing your vehicles and skill really makes a difference.
It's easy to get into, and all you need to play is nothing more but your mouse and keyboard
or controller.
Immerse yourself in cross-platform combat with more than 20 million other military vehicle
enthusiasts from all over the world . Download and play War Thunder for free using the link
in the description below and also get a free bonus tank or aircraft or ship and three days
of premium account.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has increased its forays in the Miyako
Strait between Okinawa and Miyako islands.
Frontline warships of PLAN including Liaoning aircraft carrier have carried out patrols
in the region.
The installation of new Japanese units will make Ishigaki the fourth island in the Nansei
island chain to be equipped with missiles.
This island chain runs southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan and is situated on the strategic
first island chain that stretches from the Kuril Islands in the north to Borneo in the
south.
The missile batteries on Ishigaki will join existing units on Amami-Oshima, Okinawa, and
Miyako islands.
Importantly the batteries include both Surface-to-Ship and Surface-to-Air missiles.
Since the early 2010s, China & Japan are involved in a territorial row over the Senkakus island
and considering the missile will have the island in the range, the new installation
will potentially dual purpose of protecting Taiwan as well as Japan.
While it is unclear which missile systems will be deployed, Japan has a variety of options
both for Anti Ship and Anti Surface roles.
Japan has developed a set of indigenous Surface to Air missiles like Type 3 Chu-SAM.
The system can track up to 100 targets simultaneously and target 12 at the same time, engaging fighter
jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles.
Japan has Surface-to-Ship missile like the Type 88.
With a range of 180 km, high subsonic speed and 225 kg or 496 lb warhead, it is similar
to the US Harpoon missile.
An upgrade of Type 88 is also operational called the Type 12.
Type 12 features INS with mid-course GPS guidance and better precision and target discrimination
capabilities.
It has a range of 200 km or 120 miles.
According to Japan’s constitution adopted after the Second World War, it is a pacifist
country.
Article 9 of the Japanese constitution states that "The Japanese people forever renounce
war and the threat or use of force.”
Previously, the only scenario in which Japan's Self Defense Forces could use force involved
an "armed attack situation," such as an organized and premeditated attack against Japan's territorial
land, sea, or airspace.
In 2015, under then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan enacted a series of security laws
that expanded the conditions for deploying the Self Defense Forces.
As interpreted by most experts, now Japan no longer needs to be attacked directly for
Japan's Self Defense Forces to get involved.
Japan's deputy prime minister recently said the country needed to defend Taiwan with the
United States
Aso a during a speech in Tokyo, "If a major incident happened [in Taiwan],
it would not be strange at all if it touches on a situation threatening survival.
If that is the case, Japan and the U.S. must defend Taiwan together."
Aso added, "We need to think hard that Okinawa could be the next."
A recently published, white paper is manifesting the same stance and states,
“Stabilizing the situation surrounding Taiwan is important for Japan’s security and the
stability of the international community.
Therefore, it is necessary that we pay close attention to the situation with a sense of
crisis more than ever before.”
While the installation of these batteries is expected by the end of 2022, there are
also several long time plans.
The Japanese defense ministry is reportedly planning on installing an electronic warfare
unit on Yonaguni island by the end of 2023 and building a new SDF base on the island
of Mageshima.
Also, Japan is putting effort to develop Hypersonic weapons
The first mention of Hypersonic weapons was in the annual defense white paper that came
out in August 2018.
The program is designated as the Hyper-Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) and it will have
two types of separate designs.
The first type is expected to be developed by 2026 and the second type by 2028.
There is consensus that Taiwan is becoming increasingly vulnerable.
The fall of Taiwan will be a massive blow to regional stability and Japan will be of
the counties that will be adversely affected.
Such an event will mean that China will take up an even more hostile stance and this will
not be a good outcome for Japan since it has a direct dispute with China.
China has been using strong-arm tactics to threaten its neighbors time and again which
include patrols by warships and aircraft close to their borders, Japan has been at the receiving
end many times.
It is clear that China needs to be countered militarily to safeguard Taiwan and Japan is
making progress in this direction.