Japan Deploys Ballistic Missile Defense System
by Richardson ~ March 30th, 2007. Filed under: Arms Race, Japan, Japan-Korea Relations.
Today Japan installed and deployed a ballistic missile defense system, which is separate from the U.S. PAC-3 system deployed on Okinawa last year and ship-based Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) missile interceptors at Yokosuka:
“We had initially planned to complete the deployment by March next year, but we accelerated the plan following North Korea’s missile launch,” the spokesman said.
It was Japan’s first deployment of a ballistic missile interceptor since the nation became officially pacifist following its defeat in World War II.
The system is comprised of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) equipment:
The deployment of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) equipment, capable of shooting down incoming missiles in the final stage of flight as they near their target, was sparked by Pyongyang’s firing of a ballistic missile in 1998 that flew over Japan.
[. . .]
The relatively short range of PAC-3 interceptors — about 20 km — means they are likely to be deployed closer to the center of the capital to protect financial and government hubs if a missile attack is believed to be imminent.
Also see: North Korea’s Ballistic & Cruise Missiles.
April 1st, 2007 at 12:54 am
[...] - Japan this week has also just activated their newest missile defense system. [...]
April 1st, 2007 at 4:18 am
It’s very misleading whenever people get hung up on precise ranges for Patriots, because the effective range may vary depending upon type of target and type of interceptor. It is always best to have a mix of PAC-3, PAC-2, GEM C, and GEM T missiles in one’s magazine because the software will determine the best interceptor to launch depending on the target’s flight characteristics.
Saying that the PAC-3 has a range of 20km is like saying a Chrysler Pacifica gets gas mileage of 17mpg, which ignores the fact that it is a lot better if driving southbound on I29 with a 20mph tailwind, and it is much worse when stop-and-go driving in Seoul with 3-4 minute waits at red lights.
Regardless, the Japanese choice of PAC-3 rather than Korea’s choice of PAC-2 makes sense given the flight profile of the threat they are most likely to face.
April 2nd, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Thanks for the info, Mark. To tell the truth, I’m not very familiar with any anti-missile system, although that may change soon.