The Typhon missile system was unveiled to the media on 15/9 at the Iwakuni military base in Yamaguchi prefecture, as part of the annual Resolute Dragon joint military exercise between the US and Japan.

Involving approximately 14,000 Japanese and 5,200 American personnel, this is the largest Resolute Dragon exercise to date. The two-week event marks the first deployment of the Typhon system to Japan.

"With its ability to utilize various equipment and missiles, it can put the adversary in a difficult position. This system can be rapidly deployed to forward locations when necessary," stated Colonel Wade Germann, commander of the Typhon operating crew.

The Typhon launcher at Japan's Iwakuni base on 15/9. Photo: Reuters

The Typhon launcher at Japan's Iwakuni base on 15/9. Photo: Reuters

Colonel Germann emphasized that the Typhon system will be withdrawn from Japan after the Resolute Dragon exercise concludes. He declined to disclose where the system will be moved or if it will return to Japan in the future.

Typhon, also known as the Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) system, was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and entered service with the US Army in 2023. Each complete system typically consists of a command vehicle, four transporter erector launchers, a reloading vehicle, and a technical support vehicle.

Each transporter erector launcher is equipped with a cluster of four Mark 41 vertical launching tubes housed in a 40-foot container, capable of firing SM-6 surface-to-air missiles or Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The SM-6, also known as the RIM-174A ERAM, is a surface-to-air missile designed to intercept aircraft and cruise missiles, and can also be used as an anti-ship weapon. Each SM-6 missile costs approximately 4.3 million USD. Vice Admiral Jon Hill, director of the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), emphasized in 2022 that it is the country's only weapon capable of intercepting hypersonic warheads.

The Tomahawk, nicknamed the "messenger of war," is often used by the US as a preemptive strike weapon in numerous conflicts. The missile has a maximum range of 1,600-2,400 km depending on the variant, carries a 450 kg high-explosive or cluster warhead, uses satellite navigation, and costs 2 million USD per missile.

According to Reuters, Tomahawk missiles deployed in Japan could reach the eastern coast of China or some areas of Russia. Moscow and Beijing have strongly criticized Washington, accusing it of inciting an arms race by deploying the Typhon system to the Philippines in 2024.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense has not commented on the US deployment of the Typhon system to Japan.

The US military describes Iwakuni as part of the "first island chain," a term referring to the area within the belt stretching from the Kuril Islands through Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, and the Philippines. This area is considered a strategic chokepoint preventing Chinese forces from accessing the Pacific Ocean and supporting the US and its allies in potential conflict scenarios.

Pham Giang (Reuters, War Zone)