Japan Deploys Type 12, Type 03 Air Defense Systems to Miyako Island

Japan has deployed two units, one equipped with Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles and another with Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missiles in Miyakojima islands.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy's aircraft such as Xian H-6 bombers, Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft, and vessels regularly transit through the 250km-wide Miyako Strait within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through which merchant vessels and warships in peacetime are allowed to pass, Naval News reported Friday.

Japan has been stepping up its Anti-Access / Area Denial (A2/AD) solutions, fielding a network of anti-ship and electronic warfare systems in its Southern islands (the so-called “first island chain”). The newly created amphibious bridage of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will also be in charge of defending these islands.