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Ballistic Missiles
Japan's first long-range missile was deployed at a southwestern army camp, officials said Tuesday, as the country pushes to bolster its offensive capabilities. The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles, developed and produced by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, became operational at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture. "As Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment in the postwar era ... it is an extremely important capability to strengthen Japan's deterrence and responsiveness," Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters. "It demonstrates Japan's firm determination and capability to defend itself." The upgraded Type-12 missile has a range of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), a significant extension from the 200-kilometer (125-mile) range of the original that would allow it to reach mainland China. The deployment of the long-range missile gives Japan a "standoff" capability, meaning it can strike enemy missile bases from afar, marking a break from the
North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea on Sunday, South Korea's military said. South Korea's military said North Korea's missile launch off the North's east coast happened Sunday morning but gave no further details. Japan's defence ministry also reported a suspected missile launch by North Korea. There were no immediate reports of any damages. The launch is the latest weapons display by North Korea ahead of its upcoming ruling Workers' Party congress. Experts say North Korea is likely ramping up weapons tests to show off its achievements in the defence sector ahead of the congress, the first of its kind in five years. Observers are watching the congress to see whether North Korea will set a new policy on the US and respond to its calls to resume long-stalled talks. The launch also came hours before South Korea's president, Lee Jae Myung, leaves for China for a summit with President Xi Jinping. During the trip, Lee's office said he would request China to make a ...
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, have developed a framework that can boost protection of critical infrastructure in the country against the threat of ballistic missiles, according to officials. The framework will help designers develop innovative solutions for improving the ballistic resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) panels, they said. The findings of the research were published in reputed peer-reviewed journal "Reliability Engineering & System Safety". Using computational simulations, the researchers studied the impact of missiles on RC, which is the main material used to construct vital structures ranging from military bunkers, nuclear power buildings and bridges to runways. According to Alagappan Ponnalagu, assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, concrete structures face highly localised damage such as penetration, perforation, scabbing, spalling and crushing under projectile impact load. "Due to the strategic ...
A top South Korean official says Russia has supplied anti-air missiles to North Korea in exchange for it sending troops. The US, South Korea and others say North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. What Russia would give North Korea in return has been the focus of keen attention. National Security Director Shin Wonsik told a SBS TV programme Friday that South Korea has found Russia has provided anti-air missiles and other equipment to reinforce its air defence network for Pyongyang, the capital. Shin says Russia has also give diverse economic assistance to North Korea. Seoul and Washington have voiced worries about possible Russian transfers of sensitive nuclear and missile technology to North Korea.
The United States has informed allies that it believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine, according to two people familiar with the matter. They did not offer any details about how many weapons have been delivered or when the transfers may have occurred, but they confirmed the US intelligence finding. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that has not been disclosed publicly disclosed. The White House declined to confirm the weapons transfer but reiterated its concern that Iran is deepening its support of Russia. The White House has been warning Iran for months not to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia. "Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and lead to the killing of more Ukrainian civilians," National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement. "This partnership threatens ...