|
The unit launchers will be based on the small island
temporarily and will be used in ongoing drills in the area that began
on Nov. 1 and will conclude on Nov. 18, they said.
The drill will also see another unit of missiles arrive on the island
from a base in Aomori Prefecture, and be utilized in exercises involving
a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force AEGIS destroyer playing the role
of a "hostile" vessel.
The defense ministry said that the surface-to-ship missiles have the
range to strike targets anywhere in waters between Miyako and the main
island of Okinawa, but added that the drills did not have any specific
threat or country in mind.
The Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM-1) is a truck-mounted anti-ship
missile developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The Japan
Ground Self-Defense Force bought 54 transporter erector launchers, each
carrying six Type 88 missiles, for use as coastal batteries. The missiles
have a range of 150 km (81 nmi), high subsonic speed and 225 kg (496
lb) warhead,
|
