Japan announces plans to develop array of advanced long-range missiles amid increasing tensions with China

Japan on Tuesday announced plans to develop and build an array of advanced long-range missiles as it bolsters its defences amid increasing tensions with neighbouring China.

The Japanese Defence Ministry said that it had signed contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop and mass-produce the weapons under a plan extending to 2027. Deployment of those weapons is scheduled for 2026 and 2027, it said.

The deals, worth more than 2.8 billion dollars, follow Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s announcement in December planning to boost defence spending and enable Japan to possess counterstrike capabilities, in the event of an emergency and under specific circumstances.

The Defence Ministry news release did not say how many of each missile would be acquired.