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Japan Weighs Long-Range Attack Drones to Expand Counterstrike Reach

Fresh U.S. test support follows new Type‑25 deployments to anchor a strike network.

Overview

  • Japan has put its first Type‑25 long‑range missiles into service, including an anti‑ship system at Camp Kengun and a hypersonic gliding projectile at Camp Fuji.
  • The missiles reach about 1,000 kilometers or more, and Japan plans to add Tomahawk‑armed destroyers and a small‑satellite targeting network planned by March 2028.
  • The U.S. approved a $340 million package to provide test and range logistics for Japan’s upgraded Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, helping move the program into sustained use.
  • Government and ruling‑party officials are studying long‑range loitering attack drones with roughly 1,000‑kilometer reach, citing low unit costs and potential launches from aircraft, submarines, or surface platforms.
  • China’s foreign ministry condemned the deployments as going beyond Japan’s defense‑only policy and warned they threaten regional stability.