Japan finalizes deployment of Patriot PAC-3 MSE air defense missile systems to 4 military bases.

According to information published on Yahoo Japan News on June 12, 2020, Japan will finalize the deployment of Patriot PAC-3 MSE air defense missile system to four military bases from March and June this year. The hit-to-kill PAC-3 MSE provides performance enhancements that counter evolving threat advancements.
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Service members with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) 2nd Air Defense Missile Group, set up the MIM-104 Patriot missile system during Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) deployment training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 29, 2017. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

This information was disclosed by Gen. Yoshinari Marumo, Chief of the Air Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, during a press briefing on Friday, June 12, 2020. The current Patriot PAC-3 batteries deployed to the national territory have a maximum firing range of 70 km, and the upgraded version of the PAC-3MSE has an extended range up to 100 km.

According to the military balance 2020 report, Japan Self Defense Forces have a total of 120 MIM-104D/F Patriot PAC-2 GEM/ PAC-3 missiles. The air defense forces of Japan consist of four units locates at military bases in Chiba, Kanagawa, Ibaraki, and Saitama prefectures that are all equipped with Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile batteries.

In December 2017, American Company Lockheed Martin has won a $944 million contract to deliver Patriot Advanced Capability-3 and PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles to the United States and allies including Japan, according to a statement released by the company.

The upgraded PAC-3 MSE expands the lethal battlespace with a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, providing increased performance in altitude and range. PAC-3 MSE is a high-velocity interceptor that defends against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. The missile uses Hit-to-Kill technology, which engages threats through kinetic energy via body-to-body contact.

The PAC-3 CRI and MSE are high-velocity interceptors that defend against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Fourteen nations have procured the PAC-3 missile defense interceptor: the U.S., Germany, Kuwait, Japan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Romania, Poland, Sweden, and Bahrain.