Japan Considers Equipping Cargo Aircraft with Long-Range Missiles

The Japanese Ministry of Defense is considering equipping military transport aircraft with long-range missiles to develop a counter-strike capability against imminent missile attacks. The missiles being considered include the US-made Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and an aircraft-launched version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile. The plan involves configuring the Kawasaki C-2 aircraft to launch these missiles, which would self-ignite after being dropped from the cargo aircraft. The development of this capability is budgeted for this fiscal year, with full-scale production expected after technical research is completed in 2024.