The State Department notified Congress this week of a potential $200 million foreign military sale to support Japan’s Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile program – an indigenously developed hypersonic missile that could target ships.
“The Government of Japan has requested to buy equipment and services in support of its indigenous Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGP) capability, including test preparation, test, and transportation support; coordination meetings in the United States and Japan; etc,” stated the Defense Security and Cooperation Agency release.
According to the release, equipment and services related to the sale would be provided by the U.S. However, no further details were provided on what this support entailed.
“The proposed sale will improve Japan’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing defense for remote islands. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces,” stated the release.
Tokyo began work on the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile in the late 2010s amid increasing concerns on the defense of its remote islands, particularly those in the East China Sea along the Ryukyus chain. The missile has also been known as the “Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile for island defense.” Japan plans to field the weapon by next year.
Chinese forces have sent frequent patrols to the remote island chain. Tokyo’s concerns also involve Chinese aspirations over Taiwan, which could see Japanese Southwestern islands be targeted due to their strategic importance.
The Pentagon claimed that the hypersonic support sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Alongside the activation of new missile and sealift units in the region was a major missile development and procurement program that aimed to deliver “counterstrike” capabilities to the Japan Self-Defense Force. Aside from foreign procurements, including a 400 Tomahawk missile order last year, Japan has been developing an improved version of its Type 12 anti-ship missile and a submarine-launched capability.
According to a Naval News report, Japan will create two variants of the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, with the Block 1 providing training and development opportunities for Japanese forces. Block 2’s design reportedly includes a seeker that will enable the hypersonic missile to target warships up to 1,242 miles away, and a future Block 2B aims to increase range up to 1,800 miles.
A video released by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency includes a conceptual deployment of the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile against an aircraft carrier configured for short take-off but arrested recovery — similar to China’s first aircraft carriers. A test last March in California saw the hypersonic weapon travel 570 miles.
