China has expressed displeasure over Japan's move to deploy stand-off weapons, including upgraded multi-role Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles, which have a range of 1,000 km. PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the People’s Liberation Army, has alleged that Japan's decision to deploy the missiles at Camp Kengun in southwestern Kumamoto prefecture of Japan by the end of March would, in effect, create a "kill network" that is capable of targeting neighbouring nations.
PLA Daily observed that the increased range of the Type-12 missile—from 200 km to 1,000 km—along with its distinct offensive capabilities and strong stealth performance” shows that the missile is "transitioning from a primarily defensive weapon to a long-range system capable of striking targets in neighbouring countries.”
"If further 'improvements' continue, the missile may in the future adopt glide warheads, penetration warheads, or hypersonic warheads, with major changes in manoeuvring and penetration capabilities," the PLA Daily observed.
According to a report in South China Morning Post, if the the upgraded Type-12 missiles are deployed on Kyushu Island, where Kumamoto is located, the East China Sea and key coastal areas in mainland China would be within its range.
PLA Daily article claimed that Japan’s move to deploy the long-range offensive systems underscores Tokyo’s intent to fast-track its stand-off strike capabilities. It added that the upgraded Type-12 could work together with another upcoming Japanese system, the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP). These form a key part of Japan’s stand-off strike capability.
The ground-launched hypersonic glide weapon is expected to be deployed on March 31 at the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force’s Camp Fuji in Shizuoka, on the island of Honshu.
This high-speed glide missile has a range of about 500–900 km, while a more advanced version under development is expected to exceed 3,000 km.
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Its speed and ability to penetrate defences could help break through enemy air defence systems early in a conflict, paving the way for follow-up precision strikes by cruise missiles, the report claimed.
Japan is building a broader stand-off strike network that will also include hypersonic cruise missiles, US-made Tomahawk missiles, and air-launched systems such as the Joint Strike Missile and Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile.
“Once this system is completed, the Japan Self-Defence Forces will have a multilayered offensive kill network … thus possessing the ability to strike targets along the coasts and inland areas of neighbouring countries,” the article said, adding, "Their insistence on developing offensive weapons and accelerating military build-up will ultimately lead to self-destruction."
