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Type 12 Surface to Ship Missile
Type 17 Ship to Ship Missile

The Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile is a truck-mounted anti-ship missile developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy. Type 12 is a liquid-fueled air-breathing missile. The Type 17 missile is ship mounted version of the Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile and the Type 12 missile is an upgraded Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile, which in turn developed the Type 90 Ship-to-Ship Missile that the Atago-class uses.

Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles were developed as a successor to Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles in 2001, and deployment began in 2014, with 22 vehicles currently active. The configuration of the entire system is the same as the 88 type, but the mounted vehicle and canister (missile storage container) are greatly changed.

In the budget request of the Ministry of Defense in FY2018, 7.7 billion yen was allocated to research on elemental technology for new anti-ship missiles for island defense. The budget allocated is not to develop new anti-ship missiles, but to improve existing missiles to the required performance. Developing a new cruise missile would cost significantly more. For example, France spent $ 745 million in 1998 on the new cruise missile "SCALP-EG" (Storm Shadow). Russian and Indian joint development of the anti-ship missile "Bramos" cost $ 240 million in 2001, according to unofficial sources.

Japan already has several potential anti-ship missiles that can be improved very quickly. One of them is the ground-to-ship missile “Type-88 surface-to-ship missile” (SSM-1), which was handled by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and has been deployed in the Ground Self-Defense Force since 1988. The ship-to-ship missile "Type 90 ship-to-ship missile" (SSM-1B) was deployed in 1990. In 2012, the procurement of Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles began as a successor to SSM-1. Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles can range up to 250 km (150 km for the SSM-1), and can carry up to 250 kg warhead. The missile has multiple guidance systems, can correct its trajectory and fly at low altitudes.

The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile can be improved enough to be a complete cruise missile that is effective not only on the hull but also on the ground. Such missile attacks on air force bases, liaison bases, and headquarters can be a devastating hit to the enemy. The launch of such cruise missiles from airplanes could be supported by airborne and ground units.

The vehicle is equipped with a new canister that has been changed from a round type to a square type 88 on the same body as the heavy duty wheel collection vehicle, and its appearance has changed completely to a modern one. Not only the appearance but also the performance has been remarkably improved, and the target information update ability, simultaneous landing function, terrain following function, command control function, etc. have been greatly improved in precision.

The system configuration consists of a guided ammunition launcher, a fire control device, a relay device, a command and control device, a search and rating radar device, and an ammunition carrier. The ammunition carrier is a heavy-wheeled vehicle-based vehicle like the launcher. In operating this system, development is also performed on the premise of integrated operation, and this is not limited to SSM-1 reform, but it is also networked with each unit.

The launcher was equipped with a container-type launcher containing six guided bullets in the body part of the body based on a heavy-wheel recovery vehicle, and the appearance changed from a cylindrical type to a square type launcher. Since the attitude at the time of guided missile firing is also closer to vertical, it can be operated without limiting the firing direction. In addition, the rear of the vehicle is equipped with a foldable protection plate that protects the vehicle, which is deployed during guided fire to protect the vehicle from firing flames.

The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (SSM-1 modified) is an improved version of the ASM-1 air-to-ship guided missile ASM-1 mounted on the JASDF F-2 support fighter. Until the SSM-1, an active radar homing method was used in which a programmed guided missile was fired, then flew by inertial guidance and approached the target, radiating radar waves and guiding a missile. Since the SSM-1 Kai, the GPS used as an intermediate guidance has been mounted on the guided missile, so the accuracy of hits has been improved, and even if the target moves greatly, it can be corrected by the GPS and respond.

In particular, the target update ability, identification function, terrain following ability was also improved, and the time for reloading guided missiles to the launcher was shortened. Previously the SSM-1 could only fire from open places without obstructions. But now operators can shoot in hiding in valleys and valleys. This reduces the danger of being spotted by enemy aircraft from the sky, and improves survivability.

The surface-to-ship missile for the Ground Self-Defense Force was developed by utilizing the Type 88 surface-to-ship missile technology of the Ground Self-Defense Force. In recent years, countries around Japan have a tendency to increase the number of surface ships. In response to the attack on island, by improving the ability to deal with enemy surface ships, the sea superiority is acquired and maintained. The Type 12 Surface to Ship Missile KAI and the New Air to Ship Missile for Maritime Patrol Aircraft will be developed with improved function and performance. The Type 12 features INS with mid-course GPS guidance and better precision due to enhanced contour/terrain matching and target discrimination capabilities. The weapon is networked, where initial and mid-course targeting can be provided by other platforms, and also boasts shorter reload times, reduced lifecycle costs, and a range of 124 mi (108 nmi; 200 km).

The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile is planned to be improved to cover 300 km. If the maximum range can be extended to 300 kilometers by developing the new missile, Japan will have sufficient capability to deter the approach of other countries’ warships toward territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands. This new surface-to-ship missile would also be effective if a remote island is occupied. The new vehicle-mounted, GPS-guided missile system is expected to be deployed to locations such as the southern island of Miyako in Okinawa. The new missiles were expected to be deployed around 2023.

The procurement of standoff defense capabilities was explicitly mentioned for the first time in the government's 2018 National Defense Program Guidelines. In the fiscal 2021 budget, 33.5 billion yen (approx. $306 million) was allocated for developing a long-range standoff missile based on the Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile. Development of that missile started in 2021, and the system is set to be introduced in fiscal 2026 or later.

By 2021 Japan's Ministry of Defense was considering the introduction of a new type of long-range missile that could be fired from vessels and fighter jets, with development beginning as early as fiscal 2022. The new missile would be based on the first domestically made long-range missile Japan was currently developing as a modified version of the Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile.

Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya described Miyakojima island in Okinawa Prefecture as “Japan’s forefront line of defense” during his visit to the island in April 2019. Iwaya expressed a strong wariness over China’s growing military capabilities in his speech at the Ground Self-Defense Force’s new camp, which opened in late March 2019. “(China) has been rapidly strengthening its military power in a wide range of areas, and its activities in the waters and skies around our country have been expanded and boosted,” he said. At the Miyakojima camp, new surface-to-air and surface-to-ship missile units will be deployed in March 2020.

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fireed a Japanese Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM-12) at the ex-USS Racine (LST-1191), positioned at sea, during a missile exercise 11 July 2018 at Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. This marks the first time land-based units have participated in a live-fire event during RIMPAC. Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, five submarines, about 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

The bilateral field exercise Orient Shield 19 was held in Japan, Sept. 5-24, 2019. OS 19 is a premier U.S. Army and JGSDF bilateral field training exercise that is meant to increase interoperability by testing and refining multi-domain and cross-domain concepts. The systems being tested were the U.S. Army's HIMARS and the JGSDF's Type 12 Surface to Ship Missile system. These units have been training together to learn what their tactics, techniques and procedures are when it comes to their different capabilities and operational styles. The tactics that the Japanese employ that are a little different from the tactics that U.S. doctrine uses.

From 2013 (Heisei 25) to 2017 (Heisei 29), a 17-type fleet-containing munition, a successor to the 90-type fleet-containing grenade, was developed. Compared to the SSM-1B, it aims to improve the accuracy of extending the range and to update the target information. The total development cost forecast is about 5.7 billion yen.

In early 2020 the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) began testing the improved version of the Type-12 surface-to-ship missile in an aerial launch configuration designed for the P-1 maritime patrol aircraft as the successor to the 91-type air-based ballistic. A P-1 patrol aircraft equipped with four modernized air-based type 12 missiles made its first test flight from the Atsugi Naval Air Facility on February 10, 2020. The improved aerial launch variant of the last Type 12 anti-ship missile has a maximum range of more than 300 km. The Kawasaki P-1 anti-submarine patrol aircraft may carry up to 8 Type 12 anti-ship missiles.

It was revealed on 28 December 2020 that a plan to extend the range of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile operated by the Ground Self-Defense Force to 1500 km in the future has emerged. By promoting the development of long-range missiles that can be called "domestic Tomahawks," the aim is to strengthen the deterrence of the Self-Defense Forces. The range of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided ammunition was decided to be extended by a cabinet meeting on 18 December 2020. For the time being, it will be extended from the conventional 200km to 900km, but the final goal is 1500km.

In 2017, the government decided to acquire the Norwegian-made "JSM" (range 500 km) to be mounted on the F-35 fighter and the US-made "JASSM" and "LRASM" (both range 900 km) to be mounted on the F-15 fighter. It was. The new anti-ship guided missiles and the 12-type range far exceed these, and are comparable to the US cruise missile "Tomahawk," which has a range of more than 1,600 kilometers.

On 31 August 2022, the Ministry of Defense decided on a budget request for the fiscal 2023 budget. Mass production of the Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Guided Missile (SSM), a domestically-produced cruise missile with a range of over 1,000 kilometers, and high-speed glide missiles for island defense will begin operation in FY2024, three years ahead of the original plan. In addition to research and development expenses of 27.2 billion yen for the 12SSM enhanced type and 16.6 billion yen for the high-speed glide missile, mass production costs were included in the item requirements. The 12SSM enhanced version is calculated to reach North Korea and coastal areas of China. If it is determined that it has the ability to counterattack, it can be used as a means of execution.

Japan's Defense Ministry decided to fast-track the deployment of an upgraded version of the Ground Self-Defense Force's anti-ship missile, due to increasingly serious security environment surrounding the country. The defense ministry had been upgrading the Japanese-made missile to give it a longer range. It hoped the missile will enhance the country's counterstrike capabilities in operations, such as attacks against an enemy's missile launch sites.

The ministry originally planned to deploy upgraded Type-12 missiles in fiscal 2026. The ministry had yet to decide how much sooner it will deploy them. But in the draft supplementary budget for the current fiscal year of 11 November 2023, it earmarked 152.3 billion yen, or about 1 billion dollars, for the procurement of upgraded Type-12 missiles and high-speed glide bombs that can be used to defend the country's remote islands.

Japan planned to purchase 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States for counterstrike capabilities. It planned to deploy 200 of them starting in fiscal 2025. That is one year earlier than originally planned.

Military experts speculated that this batch of upgraded Type-12 missiles is expected to extend the range to over 500 kilometers, and may also be used in the direction of the Taiwan Straits. As the system is equipped with an inertial navigation system and strengthened satellite guidance ability, it can be predicted that the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force will be equipped with a stronger strike capability, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times.

Chinese experts warned that the early deployment reflects the expansion of Japan's military ambitions. The reason for the early deployment is that the current Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) is eager to obtain a long-range strike capability under a preemptive strategy. Once it perceives that the ballistic missile bases of neighboring countries pose a threat, it will start to carry out long-range fire strikes in advance.

Japan wants to use sensitive regional issues to flex its muscles, which will inevitably undermine peace and stability in the region and plunge it into a major crisis and a vicious arms race, Wei warned. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio told members of the Self-Defense Forces on Saturday that he will steadily build up Japan's defense capabilities at a review ceremony at the SDF's Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture. Kishida pledged to secure the necessary budget and drastically boost Japan's defense capabilities. The country is experiencing the most severe and complicated security environment since the end of World War II, NHK cited Kishida as saying, referring to the recent "joint Chinese and Russian bomber flights."

Mentioning China and Russia in his speech, Kishida was trying to spread the "military threat theory" among neighboring countries, label China and Russia as "threats," and make excuses for the deployment of long-range firepower, Chinese experts noted. There are already some signs of a return to militarism within Japan's senior leadership, Wei warned.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson at China’s Ministry of National Defense, said in March that in recent years, Japan has continuously defied the constraints of its pacifist constitution and pursued a path of military expansion. This is dangerous and does not win people’s hearts. "History is a vivid lesson: Japanese militarism inflicted untold suffering on the people of Japan, Asia, and the world. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We urge Japan to draw profound lessons from history, exercise prudence in its words and deeds in the field of military security, and contribute more to regional peace and stability, earning the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions", Zhang said.

Japan is planning to deploy missiles that can cover some parts of the Chinese mainland coast and the island of Taiwan this year. A Chinese expert said on 31 august 2025 that the deployment, which exposes Japan’s military expansion ambitions, will only become a burden to its own security. Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on 31 August 2025 that the deployment of the upgraded version of the Type 12 missile would mark another breakaway of Japan from its pacifist constitution and exclusive defense-oriented principle, exposing Japan’s ambition of military expansion.

The Camp Kengun of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force in Japan’s southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture will be equipped with an upgraded version of the Type 12 long-range anti-ship missile this year. In a move claimed to “counter China’s increasing maritime movements,” the Japanese Defense Ministry is boosting the defense of southwestern islands, with additional missiles to be deployed in other locations in the coming years, Japanese media outlet Yomiuri reported on 30 August 2025.

While previous land-based anti-ship missiles used by the Ground Self-Defense Force only have ranges of some hundred kilometers, the new missile will have a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, making it capable of covering some parts of the Chinese mainland coast and the island of Taiwan when deployed in Kyushu, the Yomiuri report claimed. The report also hyped that the Japanese Defense Ministry and Self-Defense Force are accelerating the missile deployment that was originally planned for 2026 citing a so-called potential “Taiwan emergency.”

The survivability of the Type 12 missile is limited if it is to be used against China or if Japan attempts to interfere in the Taiwan question. From a tactical point of view, while the missile would provide Japan with a means to attack, it would also become a security burden for Japan from a strategic point of view, Wang said, urging the Japanese right-wing force to pay attention to China’s upcoming V-Day military parade, through which China is expected to display its capabilities to defend the post-war international order and safeguard peace and stability.

There are also concerns about the missile deployment among the Japanese locals. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki expressed opposition when he met with Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi in the prefecture in March, saying, "If [the missiles] are deployed, it is expected that the risk of becoming a target of attack will increase, and it will not be understood by the people of the prefecture," according to the Yomiuri report.