Mentioned:Japan Ministry of Defense
Japan deployed its Type 25 Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile to operational status at Camp Fuji on March 31, marking the first fielding of a domestically produced long-range stand-off missile. The Defense Ministry plans to establish new HVGP units in Hokkaido and Kyushu during fiscal 2026 and develop Block 2 variants targeting 1,000-2,000 km range by the 2030s.
What's happening
- Type 25 HVGP launcher deployed to Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture on March 31, confirmed by video showing 8x8 truck carrying two missile canisters in firing sequence.
- Field Artillery Training Unit at Camp Fuji using first systems to train crews and develop operational doctrine for the weapon.
- Defense Ministry plans new HVGP units at Camp Kamifurano in Hokkaido and Camp Ebino in Kyushu during fiscal 2026, ending March 2027.
- Block 1 version has range of several hundred kilometers; Japanese media reports up to 900 km, with Block 2 targeting 1,000-2,000 km range by the 2030s.
Why it matters
- Type 25 HVGP represents Japan's first domestically built long-range strike missile, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for stand-off strike capability.
- Hypersonic glide warhead with unpredictable flight path complicates air defense interception compared to conventional ballistic missiles.
- Geographic expansion to three bases across northern and southern islands distributes strike capability and hardens against concentrated attack.
- Stand-off range of up to 900 km extends Japan's defensive perimeter beyond adversary weapon range, critical for island nation strategy.
Going deeper
- Launcher made public appearance at Fuji Firepower Review on June 7 in firing posture, signaling operational readiness ahead of Camp Fuji deployment.
- Type 25 surface-to-ship missile simultaneously deployed to Camp Kengun in Kumamoto, establishing multi-platform domestic stand-off strike architecture.
- Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi characterized deployment as first operational delivery of domestically produced stand-off missiles to Japanese military units.
The fine print
- Defense Ministry has declined to disclose whether warheads are stored at Camp Fuji, citing operational security.
- Block 1 range figures vary; ministry states several hundred kilometers, Japanese media report up to 900 km, official guidance for Block 2 is 1,000-2,000 km target by 2030s.
Source: defence-blog.com · Oct 4, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.