Tokyo: China has acquired the ability to penetrate Japan’s ballistic missile defence system, a Japanese think tank has raised the alarmed. Citing satellite imagery, he has warned that Beijing has “significantly increased” the number of missiles capable of attacking Japan The military preparation is probably to cripple the US’s ability to retaliate in the region in case of a war. . Notably, Tokyo is a major ally of America in North-East Asia. Additionally, Japan is headquarters of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, that plays a crucial role in establishing its dominance in Asia.
Why It Matters?
Th US forces are in Japan since World War II, and the Asian country is also a part of blockade known as the first island chain in the western Pacific Ocean. As per Pentagon assessment report, the Chinese army has 300 launchers and 1,300 missiles for its medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) force. These missiles cover the first island chain and have a range of 1,000 to 3,000 kms.
What Information Has Been Revealed
On Monday, the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals reported that China might deploy three types of conventionally armed missiles—specifically the DF-17 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) and the CJ-10 and CJ-100 ground-launched cruise missiles—constructed on four islands, to target the Japanese mainland. The think tank noted that new garrisons have been established at the Chinese 655th Brigade in northeastern Jilin province since October 2020, which is responsible for operating the DF-17 MRBM. This missile features a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of reaching speeds five times that of sound.
Maki Nakagawa, a researcher at the think tank and former commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Basic Intelligence Unit, stated that Beijing has gained the ability to penetrate Japan’s ballistic missile defence system by deploying these missiles.
Meanwhile, the Chinese 611th Brigade which is deployed in the eastern Anhui province has been upgraded to operate the DF-26 medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM) from October 2024. The missile has a range of about 3,000 to 4,000 kms.
No One Can Stop DF-17
The DF-17 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) is believed to have a range of approximately 1,800 to 2,500 kms. The Pentagon has determined that the CJ-10 and CJ-100 ground-launched cruise missiles are capable of hitting targets located around 1,500 to 2,000 kms away. A think tank noted that the Chinese 656th Brigade, based in eastern Shandong province, has been utilizing the CJ-100 missile since 2019. Satellite images suggest that additional facilities may be constructed as the land allocated to the brigade is being prepared.
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