Japan unveils all-new anti-ship missile at DSEI exhibition

At the Defence Security and Equipment International Exhibition and Conference Japan (DSEI) 2023, Kawasaki Heavy Industry (KHI) unveiled a new type of stealthy anti-ship missile called “Island defence anti-ship missile.

A KHI expert explained that research budgets for related technologies for this missile were included in the defence budget from FY2018 to FY2022, and the budget for FY2023 continues to include 34.2 billion yen ($261 USD), reports Naval News.

The scale model on display on the KHI stand features large wings, four tail fins/stabilizers and a flush air intake on the underside of the body. The overall shape is designed to make the missile stealthy like the JSM.

According to KHI officials, the missile aims for a longer range, low RCS (radar cross section), and high manoeuvrability, as well as high survivability in order to avoid interception by enemy air defence systems. In addition, the development of the main body of this missile, which aims for a low RCS, and the development of the engine to be mounted on it are carried out separately, and these will eventually be integrated.

As for the engine to be installed on the “island defence anti-ship missile”, the plan is to fit the KJ300, a new turbofan engine currently being developed by KHI. Also, according to Defense Ministry documents, the missile is touted as modular and capable of a wide variety of missions.

However, this missile is only in the research stage, and whether or not a missile based on the technology obtained in this research will eventually be put into service will depend on the requirements of Japan’s Ministry of Defense.