Japan plans to develop a hypersonic missile that can be launched from a submarine and travel at more than Mach 5.
The project is part of Japan’s FY2027 defence budget request. The aim is to give Japan another way to launch long-range missiles from submarines that are hard to detect.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense included the plan in its FY2027 budget request released at the end of August 2026.
The request also includes about ¥48 billion ($325 million) to study an underwater vertical launch system, or VLS, for larger long-range missiles on Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) submarines.
Japan is also studying a missile launch system for unmanned underwater vehicles, or UUVs.
Why Japan wants submarine-launched missiles?
China has improved its satellites, surveillance systems, missiles and air forces. These systems can threaten Japanese air bases, naval facilities and known missile sites.
Land-based missile units can move. Warships can also change position. But both can still be tracked by satellites
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
