Global Geo-political Series: Japan may deploy supersonic interceptors to counter China’s threat

As the threat of Chinese military grows in the South China Sea and as the numbers of Chinese military aircraft sighted near the skies around Japan increased dramatically over the past few years, Japanese government is giving a consideration to the proposal which suggests equipping its two future ground-based Aegis Ashore systems with multi-purpose supersonic interceptors designed to stop even cruise missiles. Tokyo is particularly concerned over the presence of People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) Xian H-6K long-range bombers that can be equipped with subsonic land attack cruise missiles with an estimated range of 1,500 miles. In future, the Chinese bombers can be fitted with nuclear-capable cruise missiles.

To counter that particular threat, Japan is looking for the upgraded version Aegis Combat System, with supersonic missile interceptor. Japan has completed a study earlier this year concluding that Aegis system is a more cost-effective missile defence system, compared to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, popularly known as THAAD.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won a decisive election victory last Sunday which gives him the mandate to change the country’s pacifist constitution, which would allow the country to be more assertive when using its military power around the world and increase its military prowess.  

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