Overview
- Japanese Ground Self‑Defense Force troops moved a truck‑mounted Type‑25 launcher into firing position at Onohara on Oct. 25 and showed it can be emplaced in under two minutes; officials said the launcher carried no live missiles.
- U.S. Navy aircraft and Marine ground launchers fired missiles that struck a floating target in a coordinated firepower demonstration on Oct. 24–25 to rehearse integrated sea, air and ground strikes with Japanese units.
- Keen Sword 27 is a large, multinational exercise running Oct. 19–29 that involves roughly 45,000 JSDF personnel, about 11,000–12,000 U.S. service members and partners from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines.
- The Type‑25 is a four‑tube, truck‑mounted upgrade of the Type‑12 with a reported range around 1,000 km, requires off‑board sensors and allied targeting data for over‑the‑horizon engagements, and has ship‑ and air‑launched variants in development.
- Allied officials say the drills strengthen deterrence and alliance interoperability by testing rapid emplacement, shared targeting and runway repair, but the weapon’s counterstrike role and long reach raise legal and political sensitivity at home and regionally.