US Army unveils Typhon missile system in Japan amid rising China tensions
- The U.S. Army showcased the Typhon missile system at a base in Japan for the first time, coinciding with the annual bilateral exercise Resolute Dragon.
- This missile system will enhance the military capabilities of the U.S. and Japan against increasing assertiveness from China.
- The presentation of Typhon illustrates the deepening military collaboration between the U.S. and Japan in a rapidly changing regional security environment.
In a significant move to enhance military capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. Army introduced its mid-range missile system, Typhon, for the first time at a base in Japan. This event occurred during the annual bilateral exercise known as Resolute Dragon, which commenced last week. The exercise is notable for involving over 19,000 personnel from both the United States and Japan, emphasizing the allies' commitment to maritime defense and coastal protection amidst increasing tensions with China. The Typhon system, which is designed to launch the Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk cruise missiles, is a critical addition to the U.S. military's arsenal that can target locations on China's eastern coast. The weapon was delivered the previous month to the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Iwakuni, located in southwestern Japan. Deploying Typhon in Japan follows its prior deployment in the Philippines last year, which received criticism from China and Russia alike, emphasizing the broader geopolitical implications of U.S. military strategies in Asia. The introduction of the Typhon missile system reflects Japan's accelerated military buildup in response to growing threats from neighboring countries, particularly China, North Korea, and Russia. Japan is enhancing its capabilities by focusing on strike-back options involving mid- to long-range missiles aimed at deterring missile and nuclear threats. Colonel Wade Germann, commander of the U.S. Army's 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, highlighted the system's effectiveness in creating dilemmas for potential adversaries through diverse munitions. While the Typhon missile system will not be actively fired during the ongoing Resolute Dragon exercise, its exhibition symbolizes the U.S. and Japan's intention to strengthen their defense posture against increasing regional aggressions. As the U.S. and Japanese forces collaborate on enhancing defensive capabilities, the geopolitical landscape in East Asia may see further shifts driven by military advancements and deterrents against perceived threats from adversarial nations.