US approves support for Japanese HVGP missile development
Washington has approved support for Japan’s enhanced HVGP missile programme, including US-based testing, as Tokyo strengthens remote-island defence.
- The US government has approved a $340 million support program to assist Japan in developing its upgraded Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGPs).
- The goal of the development is to upgrade the missiles with extended range and hypersonic speed to enhance Japan's "standoff capabilities" for defending its remote islands.
- The U.S. assistance, which includes conducting tests within the United States, is aimed at improving Japan's defense capabilities and boosting deterrence against China.
The US government said Wednesday (March 25) that it has approved support for Japan over the development of the country's upgraded Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles.
Under the support program, Japan will pay 340 million dollars to receive assistance for the missile development, including conducting tests in the United States.
HVGPs, which are launched from the ground, travel at supersonic speeds from high altitudes and fly in irregular trajectories, making them difficult to intercept.
The Japanese government is developing the missiles as part of its standoff capabilities to strike enemy units that land on remote islands from outside their range.
The Japanese Defence Ministry plans to deploy the current model of HVGPs domestically on Tuesday.
It is seeking to upgrade the missiles by extending their range and enabling them to fly at hypersonic speeds.
"(The support) will improve Japan's capability to meet current and future threats by providing defence for remote islands," the US Department of State said in a statement.
The assistance is believed to be aimed at boosting deterrence against China.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
