Type 12 surface-to-ship missile

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Type 12 surface-to-ship missile
Typeanti-ship missile (original version)
land attack cruise missile
surface to surface missile[1](upgraded version)
Place of originJapan
Service history
In service2015
Production history
ManufacturerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Produced2012
Specifications
Mass700 kg (1,500 lb)
Length5 m (16.4 ft)
Diameter350 mm (13.8 in)
WarheadHE
Operational
range
200 km (108 nmi; 124 mi)
400 km (216 nmi; 249 mi)(Ship/air launched and improved version)

(future versions will reach up to at least 1,000 km (540 nmi; 621 mi))[2]
Guidance
system
Inertial guidance, GPS and terminal Ka band AESA radar homing
Launch
platform
Truck (Oshkosh, Mitsubishi)

The Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (12式地対艦誘導弾) is a truck-mounted anti-ship missile developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2012. It is an upgrade of the Type 88 surface-to-ship missile. The Type 12 features INS with mid-course GPS guidance and better precision due to enhanced Terrain Contour Matching and target discrimination capabilities. The weapon is networked, where initial and mid-course targeting can be provided by other platforms, and also boasts shorter reload times, reduced lifecycle costs, and a range of 124 mi (108 nmi; 200 km).[3][4]

The missile shares the same Ka-band Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) radar seeker with Japanese BVRAAM missile, AAM-4B.[5]

Type 17 ship-to-ship missile, Type 12 Kai and Type 23 air-to-ship missile

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The ship-launched derivative of Type 12, designated as Type 17 ship-to-ship missile (SSM-2) has been put into service and it is to start deploying from Maya-class destroyer. The range has doubled to 400 kilometers and is also planning to re-apply for the improved version of the surface-to-ship system (Type 12 Kai) and the air-launched variant for the P-1 patrol aircraft.[6][7] Procurement of the air-launched variant of the missile will begin in FY2025 as the Type 23 air-to-ship missile.[8]

Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (future versions)

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Evolution of Japanese anti-ship missiles from ASM-1 to the new SSM

The MoD approved the development of an improved version of the Type 12 SSM on 18 December 2020 by the Cabinet. According to Japanese newspapers, the range will be extended from 200 km to 900 km, with a future target of 1,500 km. It will have a stealthy shape to reduce Radar Cross Section (RCS), as well as high mobility to prevent interception from the enemy. It can attack not only naval vessels but also ground targets. The MoD intends to launch the improved Type 12 SSM not only from the ground, but also from naval vessels and aircraft.[9] Development of the improved Type 12 ground-launched anti-ship missile is expected to finish by fiscal year 2025.[10]

The Ministry of Defense has accelerated its schedule from the original plan, with mass production of the ground-launched variants to begin in FY2023 and deployment to begin in FY2025, and mass production of the naval vessel-launched variants to begin in FY2025.[11]

Orders

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Fiscal year Type 12 SSM Notes

Composition of a battery (or company):

  • 1 fire control system
  • 1 - 4 launch vehicles
    (6 missiles per launch vehicles)
  • 1 - 4 ammunition transport vehicles
    (6 missiles per transport vehicle)
  • 2 radar vehicle
  • 1 communication relay vehicle
  • 1 command and control truck
Type 12

Companies

Type 12

Launch vehicles

Type 12

Radar

2026 – – – [12]
2025 2 8 4 Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile improved capability [ja][13]
2024 – – – [14]
2023 – – – [15]
2022 – – – [16]
2021 1 4 2 [17]
2020 – – – [18]
2019 1 4 2 [19]
2018 1 4 2 [20]
2017 1 4 2 [21]
2016 1 4 2 [22]
2015 – – – [23]
2014 4 16 8 [24]
2013 1 4 2 [24]
2012 0.5 2 1 [25]
Total 12.5

( - )

50

( - )

25

( - )

–
  Budget request

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Inaba, Yoshihiro (21 January 2021). "Japan to greatly extend range of Type 12 anti-ship missiles, modify it for F-15J". Naval News. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Japan starts to extend range of its missiles to over 1,000 km". Nikkei. 1 December 2021. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022.
  3. ^ LaGrone, Sam (18 June 2014). "China Reacts to Japanese Anti-Ship Missile Positioning". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014.
  4. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (19 May 2015). "Japan Plans To Deploy Missiles To Strategic Island Near Taiwan". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021.
  5. ^ Defense Agency Technical Research & Development Institute 50 Years of History, II 技術研究開発 8.第3研究所(II Technology Research and Development 8. Third laboratory) TRDI50_10.pdf file page.278-279 - Japan National Diet Library, 2002
  6. ^ "Overview of FY2017 Budget Request" (PDF). Ministry of Defence Japan. p. 28. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 November 2023.
  7. ^ "地対艦ミサイル射程、2倍へ改良 尖閣・宮古、対中抑止" [Surface-to-ship missile range improved by double for Senkaku and Miyako islands to deter China.]. Sankei (in Japanese). 29 April 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023.
  8. ^ 防衛力抜本的強化の進捗と予算 令和7年度概算要求の概要. p.29
  9. ^ Inaba, Yoshihiro (21 January 2021). "Japan To Greatly Extend Range Of Type 12 Anti-Ship Missiles, Modify It For F-15J". Naval News. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  10. ^ Mahadzir, Dzirhan (25 January 2023). "Japan Issues Military Equipment Wishlist That Includes Hypersonic Weapons, Unmanned Systems". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  11. ^ 防衛力抜本的強化の進捗と予算 令和7年度概算要求の概要. p.6. Ministry of Defense
  12. ^ "Page 36 - FY2026 budget request defence Japan" (PDF). 29 August 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Page 16 - Defence budget Japan 2025" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Overview of the FY2024 Budget (Page 15)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Overview of the FY2023 Budget (Page 15)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Overview of FY2022 Budget (Page 49)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Overview of the FY2021 Budget (Page 49)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2025.
  18. ^ "Overview of FY2020 Budget (Page 49)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2025.
  19. ^ "Overview of FY2019 Budget (Page 51)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Overview of FY2018 Budget (Page 45)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Overview of FY2017 Budget (Page 45)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Overview of FY2016 Budget (Page 39)" (PDF).
  23. ^ "Overview of FY2015 Budget (Page 43)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2025.
  24. ^ a b "Overview of FY2014 Budget (Page 41)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2025.
  25. ^ "Overview of FY2012 Budget (Page 29)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2025.