The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (12式地対艦誘導弾) is a truck-mounted anti-ship missile developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2012. It is an upgrade of the Type 88 surface-to-ship missile. The Type 12 features INS with mid-course GPS guidance and better precision due to enhanced Terrain Contour Matching and target discrimination capabilities. The weapon is networked, where initial and mid-course targeting can be provided by other platforms, and also boasts shorter reload times, reduced lifecycle costs, and a range of 124 mi (108 nmi; 200 km).[3][4]
The missile shares the same Ka-band Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) radar seeker with Japanese BVRAAM missile, AAM-4B.[5]
Type 17 ship-to-ship missile, Type 12 Kai and Type 23 air-to-ship missile
The ship-launched derivative of Type 12, designated as Type 17 ship-to-ship missile (SSM-2) has been put into service and it is to start deploying from Maya-classdestroyer. The range has doubled to 400 kilometers and is also planning to re-apply for the improved version of the surface-to-ship system (Type 12 Kai) and the air-launched variant for the P-1 patrol aircraft.[6][7] Procurement of the air-launched variant of the missile will begin in FY2025 as the Type 23 air-to-ship missile.[8]
Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (future versions)
Evolution of Japanese anti-ship missiles from ASM-1 to the new SSM
The MoD approved the development of an improved version of the Type 12 SSM on December 18, 2020 by the Cabinet. According to Japanese newspapers, the range will be extended from 200 km to 900 km, with a future target of 1,500 km. It will have a stealthy shape to reduce Radar Cross Section (RCS), as well as high mobility to prevent interception from the enemy. It can attack not only naval vessels but also ground targets. The MoD intends to launch the improved Type 12 SSM not only from the ground, but also from naval vessels and aircraft.[9] Development of the improved Type 12 ground-launched anti-ship missile is expected to finish by fiscal year 2025.[10]
The Ministry of Defense has accelerated its schedule from the original plan, with mass production of the ground-launched variants to begin in FY2023 and deployment to begin in FY2025, and mass production of the naval vessel-launched variants to begin in FY2025.[11]
^"地対艦ミサイル射程、２倍へ改良 尖閣・宮古、対中抑止" [Surface-to-ship missile range improved by double for Senkaku and Miyako islands to deter China.]. Sankei (in Japanese). 29 April 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023.
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