Air-to-air Missiles Found Damaged in Japan's Komatsu Air Base

Air-to-air missiles belonging to Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) were found damaged at the Komatsu Air Base in March this year repairs of which are expected to cost 29.5 million yen, it was revealed on Sept. 21.

"We did not publicly report the incident because it was judged that the damage had not put the missiles in danger of exploding, and therefore it had no impact outside the base," a Komatsu Air Base spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Mainichi Daily.

The damage to the weapon -- a fighter plane-mounted guided missile -- was discovered by ASDF personnel during a March inspection of the base's ammunition depot. The ASDF said it could not provide further details on the incident, including how, when and exactly how many missiles were damaged.

The make and type of missile was not revealed. However, Japan has mostly US-made weapons for its F-15 fighter jets.

Japan has Mitsubishi made AAM-3 and US-made AIM-9 Sidewinder short range air-to-air missiles. It also has K-13 is a short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile.