Japan and U.S. to Jointly Develop Interceptor Missile for Hypersonic Warheads
TOKYO, Aug 13 (Reuters) – Japan and the U.S. are set to announce a joint development of an interceptor missile to counter hypersonic warheads being developed by China, Russia, and North Korea, according to Japan’s Yomiuri newspaper on Sunday. The agreement is expected to be made during the meeting between President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the U.S. on Friday.
Hypersonic warheads pose a significant challenge as they can change course during flight, making them difficult to track and target. The current ballistic missile defense systems are not effective against such threats. To address this issue, Japan and the U.S. have been discussing the development of an interceptor missile that can effectively counter hypersonic projectiles.
Officials at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not commented on the report yet. However, it is believed that the two countries have been working on this agreement for some time now. In January, an initial agreement was made to consider the development of such an interceptor missile during a meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada.
If the announcement is made, it will mark the second collaboration between the two countries in missile defense technology. Previously, they had jointly developed a longer-range missile capable of hitting warheads in space. Japan has deployed this missile on its warships in the sea between Japan and the Korean peninsula as a precaution against North Korean missile strikes.
The meeting between Biden and Kishida will take place on the sidelines of a trilateral summit with South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland. The details of the agreement are expected to be discussed during the meeting.
The development of an interceptor missile for hypersonic warheads is a significant step forward in enhancing the defense capabilities of both Japan and the U.S. against emerging threats. It underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing the evolving security challenges posed by countries like China, Russia, and North Korea.
Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by William Mallard