Japan to Modernize Type 03 Air Defense System to Intercept Ballistic Targets in 2027

Japan’s Ministry of Defense will begin modernizing Type 03 air defense systems in 2027 to enable them to intercept ballistic missiles.

This is stated in an official Japan Ministry of Defense document on the fiscal 2027 defense budget.

The modernization will take place as Japan establishes a missile defense force within the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Currently, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force does not operate systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. At the same time, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force operates Patriot air defense systems, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force uses destroyers equipped with SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors.

Following the Type 03 modernization, the Ground Self-Defense Force will therefore become the third component of Japan’s missile defense system.

Type 03 Kai Modernization

The modernization is planned to be based on the current Type 03 Kai version. Most of the work will focus on the system’s software, which is intended to enable the missile to be guided against ballistic targets.

According to the current schedule, production and testing of the modernized system will run from fiscal 2023 through fiscal 2027, while dedicated testing is scheduled for 2025-2028.

Deployment of the modernized systems is expected in the 2030s.

Mitsubishi Electric is currently producing the latest Type 03 Kai versions. In terms of capabilities, the system is approaching European medium-range systems such as SAMP/T.

The Type 03 Kai uses a guided surface-to-air missile with an active radar homing seeker. It can engage aerial targets at a range of approximately 100-120 kilometers.

The missile is about 4.9 meters long and weighs approximately 454 kilograms.

Giving the Type 03 Kai the capability to intercept ballistic missiles is expected to expand Japan’s multilayered missile defense system.

Militarnyi previously reported that Japan is modernizing its air and missile defense systems so they can intercept hypersonic weapons.