Japan deploys BMD system to counter North Korea

Japan's MoD ordered the deployment of the PAC-3 system in Okinawa Prefecture, and Aegis BMD systems equipped with SM-3 missiles in waters around Japan. The picture shows the PAC-3 live-firing at the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) range in Crete. (Luftwaffe/Nurgün Schmidt)

Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) has deployed its ballistic missile defence (BMD) system to intercept North Korea's ballistic missiles and spy satellites entering its territory.

Japan relies on a two-layered BMD system to protect the region from hostile missiles. The first layer is based on the Aegis BMD systems, which can be fired from ships such as JS Atago and JS Kongō.

The second layer centres around the land-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) air-defence systems.

The MoD ordered the deployment of the PAC-3 system in Okinawa Prefecture, and Aegis BMD systems equipped with Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) missiles in waters around Japan.

The new deployments come after North Korea ordered the launch of its first military spy satellite by the end of April.

The MoD ordered Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to be prepared for the “destruction of ballistic missiles” or spy satellites from North Korea.

Janes assesses Japan is likely to deploy the PAC-3 system in the Sakishima Islands to intercept North Korea's spy satellite after its launch.

According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, the PAC-3 is a ground-based air-defence system utilising a missile interceptor to defeat a range of airborne threats at a short range. Patriot fires the MIM-104 series missiles.

Aegis is an integrated combat data system with command-and-control (C2) and weapon control system (WCS) elements. Aegis BMD ships armed with SM-3 missiles are capable of intercepting short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the mid-course phase of flight.