Japan to Arm Warships with Type 23 Anti-aircraft Missiles

The Ministry of Defense of Japan has allocated $245.25 million in its 2025 budget for the procurement of Type 23 long-range anti-aircraft missiles.

This funding will support the production of the first batches of these missiles, with plans for additional orders in the future.

Type 23 missiles are designed for deployment on Mogami frigates, as well as Akizuki, Asahi, and Takanami destroyers, and future Advanced Mogami-class frigates. This allocation follows a $167.25 million purchase made in 2024, marking the second year of funding for the serial production of these naval missiles.

The Type 23 missile is adapted from the land-based missile used in modernized Type 03 Kai systems, incorporating the upper stage of the Type 07 anti-submarine missile. This design unifies components, minimizes development costs, and reduces the missile’s production price. The missile features a range of 100-120 kilometers and utilizes an inertial guidance system with flight correction and active radar homing.

In 2023, Japan’s Ministry of Defense initiated funding for an improved Type 23 missile capable of intercepting ballistic and hypersonic threats. This development project, scheduled from 2024 to 2030, may involve collaboration with the Japanese Army to enhance the existing Type 03 Kai missile systems.

In May 2024, Japan signed a joint development agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for a hypersonic missile interceptor, with a $3 billion budget allocated to the project. The 2024 budget included JPY 75 billion ($480 million) for the development phase.