Japan’s hypersonic ‘ship killer’ missile system can help Philippines deter China threat: analysts

Japan is expected to deploy its hypersonic “ship killer” missile system when it is commissioned next year to deter perceived threats from Beijing in the South China Sea, in a move observers say will help boost security for the Philippines given a recently signed reciprocal deal.

The details of the upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missile were revealed in the Japanese defence ministry’s annual white paper published earlier this month.

Japanese media reported earlier the weapon would be able to hit targets as far as 900km (560 miles) away, and the goal was to extend this reach to up to 1,500km.

Observers say the ability will have implications for the Philippines, particularly in areas fronting the South China Sea.

Joshua Espeña, a resident fellow and vice-president of the International Development and Security Cooperation, said Japan’s new missile system would figure under the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Manila and Tokyo.

“Operationally, Japan seeks to establish its ability to fight against China, or at least project that message, not just in the littoral warfare scenario but in other domains such as the ability to utilise anti-ship missile capabilities in the First Island Chain,” Espeña told This Week in Asia.

“The Philippines, on the other hand, will want to get every help it can get from Japan. Given the missile system’s long range, it can augment the Philippines’ missile capabilities using ones from its partners but also learn operational lessons needed as the Armed Forces of the Philippines gets its own down the line,” he added.

Just this month, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa signed the RAA, enabling the two nations to jointly train troops and provide