A Japanese F-2 fighter carrying a pair of indigenously developed ASM-3 anti-ship missiles. Source: A

[Zarvan]

A Japanese F-2 fighter carrying a pair of indigenously developed ASM-3 anti-ship missiles. Source: ATLA

Key Points

• Japan will extend the range of its ASM-3 air-launched anti-ship missile
• The weapon will be used to extend Japan's ability to defend its remote southwestern islands

Tokyo is planning to develop long-range air-to-surface cruise missiles to bolster the defence capabilities of the country's remote southwestern islands, Japanese Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on 19 March.

Iwaya said the plan is aimed at boosting Japan's deterrence by extending the range of its first domestically developed supersonic air-launched anti-ship missile (ASM), known as the ASM-3, to more than 400 km.

The ASM-3, which has an estimated top speed of Mach 3 and a maximum range of 200 km, was jointly developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a successor to Japan's Type 93 series of missiles. It is expected to be carried by Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-2 multirole fighters.

Iwaya said Tokyo has already completed development of the ASM-3 but is still developing a new advanced mission computer (AMC) for the F-2, meaning the missile cannot yet be integrated with the platform that will carry it.

"We will make our best efforts to develop and introduce the AMC as soon as possible. In the meantime we aim to extend the missile range of the ASM-3," Iwaya said at a press conference.

The minister added that domestic cruise missiles are also intended for use on new fighters that will replace the F-2, which will be retired in the 2030s.

Although Iwaya did not mention any particular country, it is apparent that this move is to respond to China's growing naval activity in the East China Sea, which includes the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The islands are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China.

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https://www.janes.com/article/87346/japan-to-develop-long-range-air-to-surface-cruise-missiles

 

[weqi]

why f-16 why not f-2

 

[Beast]

why f-16 why not f-2

F-2 is indigenous build by Japan. The missile source code can be integrated easily without Uncle Sam permission.

 

[jupiter2007]

I wish we had a good relationship with Japan to purchase military hardware from them.

 

[Turan09]

I wish we had a good relationship with Japan to purchase military hardware from them.

Nope, impossible... japan cannot export weapons, due to post-ww2 constitution it is banned. It is a waste really... They have a great defence Industry thanks to their superior industry capacity, but what can we do?

 

[Hexciter]

Nope, impossible... japan cannot export weapons, due to post-ww2 constitution it is banned. It is a waste really... They have a great defence Industry thanks to their superior industry capacity, but what can we do?

They can provide as they removed restrictions. But the problem remains Japanese defence products prohibitely very very expensive. More on this, they only allow if there’s no risk with American interferance.

 

[Nasr]

The Japanese F-2 is larger in size, surface area to the American F-16. The F-2 also does not have the iconic, single-piece, bubble canopy of the F-16. Instead it has the traditional two-piece canopy with the alloy structure in front of the pilot, where the canopy encloses.

 

[redgriffin]

why f-16 why not f-2

The F-2 is a F-16 variant with enlarged wing area, redesigned horizontal stabilizers and a two piece canopy instead of the single piece canopy of the F-16.

 

[Beast]

I wish we had a good relationship with Japan to purchase military hardware from them.

Many of Japan military subsystems are from US. Like their Kongo class destroyer with full set of Aegis system import from US plus LM-2500 gas turbine and MK-41 VLS... Plus Japan weapon is very expensive. Might as well buy from US. Using American subsystem, Japan still need permission from US to export their weapon.

I dont see any merit buying Japanese weapon.

 

[weqi]

The F-2 is a F-16 variant with enlarged wing area, redesigned horizontal stabilizers and a two piece canopy instead of the single piece canopy of the F-16.

Two piece canopy is a big problem even thunders canopy must be replaced with single canopy

 

[Thorough Pro]

That's a big bad *** loadout...…...this is what @MastanKhan has been saying for years

A Japanese F-2 fighter carrying a pair of indigenously developed ASM-3 anti-ship missiles. Source: ATLA

 

[Shabi1]

That's a big bad *** loadout...…...this is what @MastanKhan has been saying for years

If you want a specialist for the job, JH-7 can't beat the P-3C in terms of loadout.