Japan to Deploy Air Defense Systems 110 km from Taiwan amid China Threat

The Japan Ministry of Defense has announced a plan to reinforce the defense of remote islands by deploying air defense and electronic warfare systems just 110 km from Taiwan, in response to China’s growing military threat.

The announcement was made by Japan’s new Defense Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi.

According to the 2026 budget and Okinawa Prefecture’s defense enhancement plan, the Ground Self-Defense Forces will station air defense units on Yonaguni Island equipped with Type 03 Kai surface-to-air missile systems, NEWS electronic warfare systems, and the latest Type 24 directed-energy electronic warfare devices.

In total, the garrison will host the 101st and 301st electronic warfare companies, comprising about 40 personnel, as well as a battery of Type 03 Kai surface-to-air missile systems.

In addition to Yonaguni, air defense systems are also planned for deployment on the following islands:

• Ishigaki (Ishigaki City)
• Miyako (Miyakojima City)
• Amami Ōshima (Amami City)
• Okinawa (the cities of Okinawa, Uruma, and Nanjo)

Meanwhile, the overall plan also calls for a significant expansion of the presence of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force warships, as well as Coast Guard patrol vessels in the area to maintain stability.

“The deployment may help reduce the likelihood of an armed attack on our country,” the defense minister noted.

Additionally, Okinawa Prefecture’s priority plans include upgrading the equipment of the 7th Anti-Ship Missile Regiment of the 2nd Artillery Brigade, based at the Katsuren garrison.

The unit will be equipped with new long-range Type 12 missile systems armed with 12SSM-ER missiles for anti-ship warfare and strikes against ground targets.

In addition, the plan calls for reinforcing this flank with HVGP Block I ballistic missiles, which will begin entering service in 2026 with a newly formed unit at Ebino Camp in Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu Island.

The new missile systems are intended to serve as an additional deterrent against China, as this version will have a range of 500–600 km. When deployed in neighboring Okinawa Prefecture, they would be capable of striking targets on mainland China.

Militarnyi previously reported that Japan’s Self-Defense Forces had begun trial operation of the domestically developed Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) ballistic missile system.