The Japanese military deployed a range of surface-to-surface (SSM) and surface-to-air (SAM) missile systems to its southwest archipelagic region during the US-Japanese Exercise Keen Sword, which ran from 19-29 October 2026.
However, no live firing was carried out due to Japan’s lack of areas available for long-range firing.
Missile training included Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) PAC-3 Patriots on Kume Island and Okinawa; Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Type 88 SSMs on Okinawa, Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island and Yonaguni Island; JGSDF Type 12 SSMs on Miyako and Ishigaki; JGSDF Type 03 Medium-Range SAMs on Okinawa, Miyako, Ishigaki and Yonaguni; and JGSDF Type 11 Short-Range SAM on Miyako.
The island drills also included transportation of some of these systems via government-chartered commercial transport, which moved them from the main islands of Hokkaido and Kyushu to the Sakishima Island chain, of which Miyako, Ishigaki and Yonaguni are part.
There was also air transportation to the island chain via JASDF C-2 and C-130 aircraft, and these also transported US Marine Corps NMESIS and MADIS systems, plus TPS-80 radars, as well as US Army HIMARS.
Notably, the US Army Mid-Range Capability Typhon missile system stored in Kadena Air Base on Okinawa was not deployed by the USA for Keen Sword.
In addition, the JGSDF deployed a Type 25 SSM launcher to JGSDF Onohara Maneuver Area in western Kyushu, marking the first time the system has deployed outside its home base of JGSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu.
The Type 25, an improved version of the Type 12 SSM, reportedly has a range of 1,000+km, thus putting North Korea and parts of China’s coastline within range when deployed in some parts of Kyushu.
These drills were in line with Japan’s strategy of island defence to protect its southwest archipelago from attacks and invasion. It does so via rapid deployment of military force, and using long-range, stand-off weapons to engage invading forces.
In a press conference on 20 October 2026, General Masayoshi Arai, the JGSDF’s chief, stated that, since Japan is facing its most complex and severe security environment since the end of World War II, it is a priority for Japan to rapidly build stand-off defence capabilities that can intercept and neutralise invading naval vessels and amphibious assault forces early and at distance.
He remarked, “By possessing such capabilities, we demonstrate both the firm resolve and the capacity to defend our nation; this strengthens our deterrence by discouraging potential adversaries from launching an attack, thereby reducing the likelihood of an armed assault against Japan.”
Arai, though, downplayed the deployment of the various weapon systems in Keen Sword, saying it was normal for JGSDF units to deploy outside their home bases to carry out specific tasks when required and, as such, deployments to training areas were part of the process.
The JGSDF head also said the Type 25’s deployment in Exercise Keen Sword 2026 was purely a drill focused on the JGSDF’s 5th SSM Regiment, which operates the system. The training aimed to practise the unit’s deployment, confirm firing procedures and determine how to protect the system when deployed.
by Dzirhan Mahadzir
