Japan's Strategy To Beat China's Navy Is To Deply Long-Range, Air-Launched Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles

Reuters

National Interest: F-35s And Supersonic Missiles: This Is Japan's Strategy To Beat China's Navy

Japan is extending the range of its weapons.

Here's What You Need To Remember: Japan already plans to deploy F-35B stealth fighters on carrier-like “helicopter-destroyers.” A new air warfare strategy would incorporate American-made standoff air-to-surface missiles. A long-range anti-ship missile would just be a continuation of that trend.

Japan is developing a longer-range, air-launched anti-ship cruise missile.

The reason? China’s navy is deploying longer-range anti-aircraft missiles, which means Japanese aircraft will have to launch their anti-ship weapons from longer range or risk being shot down.

Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya cited longer-range air defenses on warships belonging to “some countries,” though there could be little doubt that he was referring to one nation in particular.

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WNU Editor: The Japanese Navy does not want to be out-gunned .... The Chinese Navy Now Outguns Japan’s Own Fleet—But Don’t Panic Quite Yet (Forbes).