Japan hits rail gun milestone in race to counter China’s hypersonic development

Last week’s sea trial of Japan’s upgraded electromagnetic rail gun is a milestone in the intensifying regional arms race aimed at countering hypersonic missiles from China, North Korea and Russia.

The Japanese defence ministry released images of the gun this week showing a number of modifications to the prototype’s first experimental firing in October 2023.

The next-generation weapon was also sighted earlier this month on board the JS Asuka in Yokosuka port before setting off for the sea trial.

Observers said Japan could well become one of the first navies to operate the advanced weapon as part of its air defence capabilities.

According to Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at the Rand Corporation, Japanese development of the technology was a predictable outcome of China’s military investment.

“Given China’s enormous inventory of ballistic and growing number of hypersonic missiles that can target Japan, Beijing cannot really be surprised at Japan’s determination to build such defensive systems,” he said.

However, former PLA instructor Song Zhongping said that compared with conventional artillery, the electromagnetic gun “uses a new principle to attack targets, and its attack power and accuracy are relatively high”.

South China Morning Post