Japan signs $2.8 billion deal for mass production of long-range missiles

A Type 12 surface-to-ship missile launcher unit is displayed for military service members from 18 countries on the sidelines of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2022 (PALS 22), at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Kisarazu in Chiba prefecture on 16 June 2022. © Philip Fong, AFP

The defence ministry's decision will green light the development of various versions of Mitsubishi's Type 12 missiles. This is the latest in a series of decisions that will see Japan nearly double its military spending over the next five years.

Japan’s Defense Ministry announced Tuesday it has signed contracts worth nearly 380 billion yen ($2.8 billion) with the country’s top defense contractor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to develop and mass produce long-range missiles for deployment as early as 2026 amid growing fears of China's increasing military strength.