Japan has decided to increase the range of its air launched anti-ship missile the ASM-3. The Mach 3 capable missile will become standoff and reach 400km range.
Standoff defence capability was specified in the new National Defence Program Guidelines adopted by the Cabinet last December.
The Defence Ministry completed development of the supersonic air-to-ship ASM-3 missile in fiscal 2017. Mounted on an ASDF F-2 fighter jet, the missile is capable of flying at Mach 3.
The missile is considered least vulnerable to an adversary’s interception because of its speed, but its range is believed to be limited up to about 200 kilometres.
