Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to indicate that Japan’s Ministry of Defense unveiled photos on 6 December from the test launch of the improved Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM), which is similars to a system previously identified as a prototype for hypersonic weapons.
A recent social media post has unveiled a new hypersonic weapon system in Japan, generating significant interest in the defense community.
A user with the handle 1ZZ-FETaz shared a photograph depicting a launcher vehicle equipped with missile tubes at a roadside rest area.
The post included a remark in Japanese translating to “At the Suruga Bay Numazu Service Area, taking a break, and saw a Self-Defense Force vehicle. Cool!”
This missile system, officially known as the Hyper-Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP), is scheduled to enter service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) by 2026, three years earlier than initially planned. The accelerated timeline comes as Japan continues to adapt to a shifting regional security environment, particularly in response to growing concerns over China’s military posture and North Korea’s missile capabilities.
駿河湾沼津サービスエリア下りで、430休憩中〜 なんか、自衛隊の車両がいたぞ〜
カッケェ〜👍 pic.twitter.com/j0QRgwgrAp— 1ZZ-FETaz (@1zz_fetaz) September 30, 2024
The HVGP is part of a broader missile development effort by Japan, which includes seven domestic missile programs and additional acquisitions of missile systems from the United States. The advancement of these capabilities marks a significant shift for Japan, a country that has not maintained a substantial precision-strike capability since World War II.
In addition to the HVGP, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) disclosed in July 2024 that it had conducted two successful tests of a hypersonic glide vehicle earlier in the year in California. The tests, carried out in March and April, are the first known trials of the system since its development began in 2015. A brief video showing the boost phase of the missile was also released as part of the announcement.
Japan’s pursuit of hypersonic weapons and other missile systems signals a clear shift in its defense strategy. The country’s focus on counterstrike capabilities, particularly through the development of high-speed, precision-guided munitions like the HVGP, reflects an increasing willingness to enhance its offensive capabilities in response to the changing geopolitical landscape.
The HVGP’s eventual deployment is expected to provide Japan with a new level of strategic deterrence. With the missile’s ability to glide at hypersonic speeds, it is designed to evade missile defense systems and strike targets with a high degree of precision.