Japan’s big missile plans face hurdles at home and in the US
The US role in Tokyo’s missile ambitions has been underscored by major purchase decisions this year - and politics threatens to interfere.
The US role in Tokyo’s missile ambitions has been underscored by major purchase decisions this year - and politics threatens to interfere.
US officials have tracked China’s engagement with dozens of countries in recent years to determine where the PLA’s next overseas base will appear.
Several US allies in the region have launched new subs this year, and others are making plans to buy them, reflecting a long-standing focus on undersea warfare that is only intensifying.
Cobra Gold, now in its 43rd year, included 30 countries, seven of them full participants, and more than 9,000 personnel, making it the largest defense exercise in Asia and the longest-running in the world, said Rear Adm. Christopher Stone, commander of the US Navy’s Task Force 76/3.
By the end of March, the Philippines expects to have its first BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles, and Japan plans to begin training its personnel to operate Tomahawk missiles.