A weapon war of attrition in Ukraine may result from Japan’s agreement to produce interceptor missiles with the US and North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, is reportedly in charge of the supply of 250 fresh military ballistic missile launchers to KPA units stationed along South Korea’s border. Based on a report from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA ), the Reuters reportage was.
The new development, emphasized in a meeting this month, poses a possible threat to South Korea, as stated by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff director Lee Sung-joon. According to the Reuters report, Kim’s allegedly designed missiles are thought to be prepared for a variety of military operations, including assaults on South Korea.
In a meeting talk, Kim blamed the US for creating a “nuclear-based defense block”, prompting North Korea to increase its military functions.
The US and South Korea’s planned joint monthly martial exercises, known as the Ulchi Freedom Shield, are scheduled for the same time as North Korea’s language and martial display coincides.
According to the Reuters report, North Korea’s activities are intended to sway the US vote and counteract martial exercises, which it has long criticized as a practice for an invasion.
In a sale involving approximately US$ 19.6 million worth of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 ( PAC-3 ) interceptors, Stars and Stripes reported this month that Japan will begin selling its domestic missiles to the US. According to the report, the price aims to replenish US weapon stocks, which have declined as a result of Ukraine’s assistance.
As for the number of missiles involved in the transaction, Nikkei mentions that the US and Japan plan to co-produce 100 PAC-3 interceptors and the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile ( AMRAAM ).
Seth Jones notes that replacing a PAC-3 interceptor in the US takes close to 20 months in a report from January 2023 for the Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ).
US PAC-3 fighter manufacturing hit 500 weapons a month in December 2023, with plans to increase production to 650 by 2027, Defense News reported in April 2024.
Stars and Stripes mentions that PAC-3 missiles, part of the Patriot surface-to-air missile ( SAM ) system, will be sourced from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s ( JASDF) inventory and transferred back to the US.
It points out that the arrangement allows Japan to directly support Ukraine’s defense requirements without provoking local opposition.
Stars and Stripes mentions the agreement as a result of new security discussions between US and Japanese officials in Tokyo, which stressed the need to increase production of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and PAC-3s to meet growing demands.
Stars and Stripes reports that Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ( MHI), which is owned by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin, produces about 30 PAC-3 rockets annually and is rumored to have the ability to increase this output.
North Korea frequently makes its progress in missile systems public as a revenue pitch to prospective clients like Iran and Russia, apart from its customary saber-rattling against South Korea, Japan, and the US.
Despite the media’s concern over their support for Russia’s war on Ukraine, Asia Times reported in January 2024 that US sanctions and force have bolstered the relationship between North Korea and Iran.
Northern Korean tech transfers to Iran began during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Following the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA ) agreement, Iran sought commercial ties with South Korea.
But, in 2020, assistance resumed thanks to a secret UN report showing that North Korea and Iran were working together to develop long-range weapons, including the transport of vital components.
Iran’s missile system has ties to North Korea, according to rumors that Tehran has purchased missiles and engine equipment from Pyongyang in 2005. Also, Iran’s Shahab-3 weapon and space build vehicles are believed to be based on or bear resemblance to North Vietnamese weapons.
Given that Iran and North Korea have tremendous missile technology advancements, Russia may find them attractive given their formidable use of cruise and projectile missiles in Ukraine to chisel their positions on the country’s air defenses, infrastructure, business base, and morale in a proper bombing campaign.
Josh Holder and Constant Méheut report in a New York Times article from May 2024 that since April 2023, Ukraine’s heat security has become increasingly incapable of intercepting Russian weapons, with capture prices falling from over 80 % to less than 50 %.
In light of Holder and Méheut’s analysis of Russian military reports, advanced Russian strategies and missile barrages, including the use of faster, more sophisticated drones and drones designed to destroy and irritate Ukrainian defenses, are on the rise.
They point out that Ukraine struggles to guard its civilians and infrastructure despite receiving American help, including three Patriot systems.
Russia has recently used Iranian weapons in Ukraine and has already used North Asian ones. Reuters reported this month that Iran may send hundreds of Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles ( SRBM ) to Russia. According to the review, hundreds of Soviet military personnel are currently receiving instruction on how to use the missile in Iran.
According to Reuters, Russian officials working for the Russian Defense Ministry does had signed a deal with Iranian officials for the Fath-360 and another ballistic missile system in December. According to the report, the walk will allow Iran to launch missiles against closer goals while Russia can use its weapons to reach deeper goals in Ukraine.
In a December 2015 American Action Forum ( AAF ) paper, Rachel Hoff claims that the two nations ‘ joint efforts to develop missile technology will ensure Japan’s and the US’s troops stationed there and that it is a cost-effective strategy for the US defense budget.
Hoff points out that both countries can strengthen their defensive skills against local threats, mainly from North Korea and China, thanks to the joint development of missile defense methods like the PAC-3 fighter.
She claims that by splitting the costs of missile development, production, and studies, the US can use its security resources more effectively.
But, Japan’s pacifist mindset poses significant internal challenges for accelerating defense production, which could lead to lessening its ability to produce substantial and meaningful outcomes.
Asia Times noted in September 2023 that Japan’s security sector struggles with small success, aging technology, bad missile stockpiling practices and limited government support.
Supply chains likewise present issues. Production is hampered by a crucial part shortage caused by US aircraft large Boeing, which Reuters pointed out next month. It will take several years before MHI can improve its PAC-3 interceptor output.