Japan’s Ministry of Defense announced on Oct. 7 that it has signed two major contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to begin mass production of a new submarine-launched cruise missile and a ship-launched, extended-range variant of the Type 12 anti-ship missile.
The ministry said the first contract, signed Sept. 1 and valued at roughly ¥2.9 billion ($19 million), covers initial production of an undisclosed submarine-launched missile model whose service entry date has not been published.
The second contract, signed on Oct. 6 and worth about ¥25 billion ($164 million), covers mass production of the ship-launched “12式反舰飞弹增程改良型” — described in Japanese reporting as the 12SSM-ER — with planned entry into service in fiscal year 2027.
The Type 12 family has been a cornerstone of Japan’s anti-ship inventory. The existing Type 12 surface-launched variant has a stated range of approximately 200 kilometers.
The upgraded version fielded by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force units has already pushed that reach to roughly 900 kilometers, and the latest extended-range modification is reported to aim for an eventual range of about 1,500 kilometers. That growth in reach would represent a substantial extension of Japan’s maritime strike envelope.
According to the Defense Ministry announcement, the revamped 12SSM-ER adopts a low-observable airframe to reduce detection and improve strike effectiveness. The ministry framed the ship-launched variant as a future mainstay of Japan’s long-range strike posture at sea, intended to strengthen deterrence and provide commanders with a more flexible option for countering threats at greater distances.
The two production contracts together reflect Tokyo’s dual approach: developing both submarine-launched and surface-launched options for long-range effects. Submarine-launched cruise missiles, by virtue of their stealthy deployment, offer a survivable strike capability, while a ship-launched 12SSM-ER would add a high-end, mobile anti-surface capability across Japan’s maritime forces.
Japanese reporting emphasized the timeline for the 12SSM-ER: mass production under the new contract is expected to support operational deployment beginning in fiscal 2027. The ministry did not publish detailed performance specifications for the submarine-launched missile or provide an exact delivery schedule, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has not released a public technical brief at this time.