United States and Japan Sign Agreement to Enhance Missile Defense Capabilities.

On May 15, 2024, the defense departments of the United States and Japan signed a formal agreement for the cooperative development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI). This agreement is part of the U.S.-Japan bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) projects.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

THAAD interceptor is an anti-ballistic missile defense system originated and designed by the United States (Illustrative image). (Picture source: US DoD)

The GPI initiative aims to reinforce regional deterrence and deepen missile defense cooperation between the two nations. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) will lead the development of the GPI, which will provide defense capability against hypersonic missiles during their glide phase, the longest phase of their trajectory. Japan will be responsible for developing the rocket motors and propulsion components of the GPI.

The GPI is designed to intercept and destroy hypersonic missiles during their glide phase, between launch and reentry into the atmosphere, when they are most vulnerable. This project addresses the urgent need for both countries to counter emerging hypersonic capabilities that pose significant regional security challenges, particularly due to North Korea's repeated ballistic missile tests and China's increasing military activities in the Indo-Pacific.

The GPI program is the second joint development of a missile interceptor by Japan and the United States, following the Standard Missile (SM)-3 Block IIA program. This collaboration builds on the success of the previous project and strengthens the alliance's deterrence posture. American defense companies Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are competing to design the interceptor, with contracts awarded to continue development.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, "the development of a counter-hypersonic capability is a pressing need for both countries to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including the emergence of sophisticated missile capabilities for potential acts of coercion. The GPI co-development will build upon long-standing U.S.-Japan missile defense cooperation and strengthen the alliance's deterrence posture."

This agreement marks a significant step in enhancing regional security and improving the missile defense capabilities of both allied nations.