Japan, under the pretext of intercepting hypersonic weapons, is developing strike weapons. This is stated in a commentary by the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Note that on November 1, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported on a contract concluded with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the development of the so-called Glide Phase Interceptor. Tokyo then explained the development as measures to respond to “threats from neighboring countries” and called the interceptor a “missile defense missile.”
“In fact [она] “It is a new type of attack weapon with capabilities superior to the hypersonic weapons developed until now.” – they say in Pyongyang, TASS reports.
The contract between the Japanese Ministry of Defense and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries worth 56 billion yen (about $363 million) is valid until March 2029. The interceptor development project is being carried out jointly with the United States.
Japan and the United States announced their intention to cooperate on the development of hypersonic weapons interception systems on June 1, 2023, when Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and the then head of the Japanese Department of Defense met in Tokyo. Yasukazu Hamada.
Prior to this, in December 2022, Japanese media reported plans to study missile technologies to intercept hypersonic glide vehicles at altitudes where current missile defense systems are ineffective. In particular, the development of large rocket engines and other components for interceptors was discussed.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Japanese side will be responsible for the development of the second stage rocket engine, as well as the control system of the third stage of the rocket. The United States will develop the first stage accelerator and the third stage rocket motor. Together, the parties will work on the interception stage.
