In a new development, the US is talking with Japan about bringing new mid-range missiles to its territory. This move aims to strengthen defenses against China, according to a senior American defense official.
During a recent visit to Tokyo, US Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth discussed this idea with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara. She expressed a strong interest in having the US Army’s new Multi-Domain Task Force, which operates the advanced Typhon missile system, conduct exercises in Japan.
The Typhon missile system includes two powerful types of missiles: the Tomahawk, which can travel over 1,600 kilometers, and the Standard Missile-6, with a range of up to 370 kilometers. Although Japan hasn’t hosted these kinds of missiles before, Wormuth emphasized that any deployment would be done gradually and at a pace that Japan is comfortable with.
Why is this important? The US wants to use these missiles to boost its military presence in the region, especially around Japan’s Southwest Islands. These islands are very close to Taiwan, a self-governed island that China considers part of its territory.
In April, the US tested this strategy by sending a Typhon missile launcher to the Philippines for a military exercise. This was the first time the US had deployed ground-based missiles to another country since leaving a major arms control treaty in 2019.
The goal behind bringing these missiles to Japan is to enhance military readiness and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. Wormuth believes that showing off this capability will not only strengthen the US-Japan alliance but also get China’s attention.
As part of the plan, US forces could maintain a strong presence in the region for extended periods, potentially up to six months each year. This move is seen as a significant step in ensuring regional security and countering China’s growing influence.
Stay tuned to see how Japan and China react to this bold new strategy!
