WHY DOES JAPAN WANT TO BUY THE SUBSONIC TOMAHAWK CRUISE MISSILE?
The Japanese government has been considering purchasing tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States. After rising tensions from China, this could be a statement from Japan. Having a tomahawk cruise missile gives the Japanese government more leverage and protection for the country and its citizens. Check this one out:What Is a Hypersonic Missile and How Is the U.S. Mitigating Their Threat?
What Is the Tomahawk Cruise Missile?
A tomahawk cruise missile is a “precision weapon that launches from ships and submarines and can strike targets precisely… even in heavily defended airspace.” A tomahawk cruise missile range is 1,000 miles. These missiles can accurately target anything within that range, which not every missile is capable of. They can travel at a speed of 567.7 miles per hour at a flight altitude of 98-164 feet. Tomahawk cruise missiles are extremely powerful; they can obliterate buildings, and their blast craters can reach up to 20 feet in width. This power comes from the fact that they can carry a nearly 1,000-pound conventional warhead or a package of 166 cluster bombs. These long-range missiles, which are capable of penetrating deep into enemy territory, were designed to fly at subsonic speed while maintaining a low altitude, thus making it difficult to be detected on radar. Navigation is made possible by tailored guidance systems that help personnel maneuver the missiles while they’re at a low elevation. According to the CSIS Missile Defense Project, “Tomahawks can be launched from over 140 U.S. Navy ships and submarines, including four converted Ohio-class submarines, as well Astute, Swiftsure, and Trafalgar-class submarines of the Royal Navy.” As you can see, this isn’t just an American missile. Nations across the world utilize the missiles as effective defense mechanisms. There are also different types of tomahawk cruise missiles, each having its own capabilities and destruction levels.
Why Does Japan Want the Subsonic Cruise Missile?
Keeping in mind what a tomahawk cruise missile is, Japan has been looking into purchasing one from the United States to protect itself from its enemies for a few years. Japan has been looking into self-defense a bit more recently following growing tensions in the East, and by 2026, they plan to “adopt an improved version of the Type 12 cruise missile, which will have an increased firing range of up to 1,200 km.” However, their current missiles will be considered “a late response” in case countries like North Korea, China, or other Japanese adversaries attack the region in the next few years. Japan is considering purchasing a tomahawk cruise missile from the United States, in particular, because it’s the “most advanced missile in its class.” As recent reports from Defense Express note, “It is not yet known which modification of the Tomahawk Japan is expecting to get: the most common Block IV, or the newer Block V…” Having said that, Japan wants to have both the tomahawk cruise missiles and their Type 12 missiles simultaneously, which have a firing range of 1,200 kilometers. “The first cruise missile will be aimed specifically at ground targets, the second at long-range enemy ships.”
Tomahawk Cruise Missile Price
Creating these tomahawk cruise missiles doesn't come cheap. According to Defense Express, one tomahawk cruise missile price is about $1.5 million. Developing just one missile costs so much, making it important that the United States knows who they’re selling their missiles to and what the chances are that they actually use it. That is why countries that possess these dangerous and deadly weapons use them sparingly, as most don’t have the excess funds for more than a couple.
How Can the Tomahawk Cruise Missiles Protect Japan?
In some cases, like Japan’s, they want to acquire the subsonic cruise missiles for additional protection. Because they already have their own Type 12 missiles, they want to advance their air defense by having a missile that’s even stronger: the tomahawk cruise missile. By acquiring the tomahawk missile, it would “give the Japanese government a counter strike capability against enemy missile attacks.” This is in response to the quick advancements that North Korea is making with their ballistic missiles. In case North Korea decides to use them, Japan wants to protect themselves. They also want to deter the possibility of an attack from them in the first place. No one knows what’s going to happen in the future, so Japan wants to make sure they’re protected in any event and keep their citizens safe. Acquiring a tomahawk cruise missile from the United States is one of the best ways to do that today. Hopefully, once the Japanese government obtains the missile, they can increase their defenses from outside threats. Still interested? Check this one out:Russian Missiles in Ukraine Are Hitting Decoys Thanks to Drone Confusion
Image: navy.mil