Tokyo: Japan’s Defense Ministry is considering mounting long-range missiles on C-2 transport planes of the Air Self-Defense Force to improve the country’s standoff defense capability, government sources said Sunday.

The missiles could be used for operations to attack enemy bases, such as missile launch sites, in counterstrikes, the sources added.

The standoff defense capability enables attacks against enemy troops and vessels from outside their range.

According to the sources, the ministry is considering using a type of missile whose engine is ignited in the air after the container holding the missile is dropped during a flight.

This type does not require major modifications to aircraft. The United States is developing related technology.

The ministry secured 3.6 billion yen in the fiscal 2023 budget as related expenses. Full-scale development is expected to begin after technical research seen lasting until fiscal 2024.

The ministry does not plan to develop or procure new missiles for the C-2 plane. Missiles that could be adopted are the U.S.-made Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, or JASSM, with a range of about 900 kilometers, set to be introduced for F-15 fighter jets, and an aircraft-launched version of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile with a 1,000-km range, which is under development.

In standoff defense operations, ground launchers of the Ground SDF, destroyers of the Maritime SDF and fighter jets of the ASDF intercept invading troops from afar.

The C-2 plane can carry more missiles than major fighters do. It has a long range and can stay in airspace for a long time.

The plane is capable of transporting 110 people and traveling about 7,600 km with 20 tons of cargo. About 15 aircraft are deployed in Japan.

Increasing the means of interception makes it more difficult for the enemy to invade. The government’s new Defense Buildup Program, released last year, calls for “further diversifying launch platforms” and includes a plan to study a missile system that can be mounted on transport aircraft.

The ministry also plans to develop missiles to be launched from MSDF submarines.

JIJI Press