Japan’s future missiles may hunt in packs, communicating midair, sharing data, and shifting tactics in real time to overwhelm enemy ships.
To make it happen, Japan’s Defense Ministry plans a new program to develop AI-powered anti-ship missiles that can think, communicate, and coordinate during flight.
The envisioned system will allow missiles, decoys, and jamming units to share data, calculate optimal flight paths, and adjust trajectories to counter evasive enemy vessels.
This marks a shift from Japan’s current approach, in which missiles are guided one at a time from the ground and rely solely on onboard radar during the terminal phase.
Enhancing Deterrence
The initiative is part of Tokyo’s broader effort to strengthen deterrence and expand the Japan Self-Defense Forces’ ability to conduct long-range counterstrikes.
As guided missile ranges now exceed 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), the Asian nation is adapting to the growing need for standoff weapons that can operate beyond the reach of enemy defenses.
By integrating AI across missiles, decoys, and jammers, officials aim to counter risks from longer flight times, including interception, jamming, and enemy evasive maneuvers.
Development Timeline
Tokyo has earmarked 200 million yen ($1.3 million) in its fiscal 2026 budget request to begin developing the AI control system.
Over the next three years, defense officials will evaluate the system’s performance, cost, and reliability, with fiscal 2029 targeted for initial deployment.
Research and development will follow Japan’s AI defense guidelines, emphasizing risk management, safety, and accountability in autonomous systems.
