Japan to station unarmed missiles on Miyako island
9 Nov 2013 4:32 AM IST
Japan’s military is to station four unarmed missiles on an island that sits on the gateway to the Pacific, officials said on Thursday, for a major drill that has made China nervous.
The exercise, aimed at bolstering defence of Japan’s southern islands, has already seen a launching system and a loader for Type-88 surface-to-ship missiles installed on Miyako island.
‘This is the first time’ that missile systems have been taken to Miyako, said a spokesman for the Joint Staff of the Self Defence Forces, adding that the missiles could not be fired in their present state. ‘The drill is designed for the defence of islands,’ he said.
While the Japanese military makes no secret of the fact these missiles are not operable, observers say their deployment serves to remind anyone watching of Japan’s capabilities.
The missiles were expected to arrive later today and it was not clear how long they would stay for. The Self Defense Forces began their 18 days of war games on 1 November.
The exercise, aimed at bolstering defence of Japan’s southern islands, has already seen a launching system and a loader for Type-88 surface-to-ship missiles installed on Miyako island.
‘This is the first time’ that missile systems have been taken to Miyako, said a spokesman for the Joint Staff of the Self Defence Forces, adding that the missiles could not be fired in their present state. ‘The drill is designed for the defence of islands,’ he said.
While the Japanese military makes no secret of the fact these missiles are not operable, observers say their deployment serves to remind anyone watching of Japan’s capabilities.
The missiles were expected to arrive later today and it was not clear how long they would stay for. The Self Defense Forces began their 18 days of war games on 1 November.
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