Japan continues to reinforce its Southern Islands. A new Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (12式地対艦誘導弾) unit has recently been deployed at the garrison on Miyakojima island.
Austal, builder of the USS Independence-class and Lockheed Martin, builder of the USS Freedom-class LCS, have offered options for a “Frigate-type” LCS with hull lengthening, better weapons, better sensors, and various upgrades for higher performance, lethality, survivability, and C4SIR.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the US Army conducted their first ever combined anti-ship drills in Japan, as part of the annual Orient Shield exercise, according to pictures released by the US Army Japan press office.
