In a strategic move aimed at reinforcing its military posture in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States has initiated discussions with Japan regarding the potential deployment of mid-range missiles on Japanese soil. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, speaking at the Defense News Conference in Virginia on Sept. 4, 2024, confirmed that the U.S. has expressed interest to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in operating the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) out of Japan, potentially through exercises.
The MDTF, a new U.S. Army unit that operates the Mid-Range Capability missile system, also known as the Typhon, represents a significant enhancement to the U.S. Army’s long-range precision fires capability in the region. The Typhon system, capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles with an estimated range exceeding 1,600 kilometers and Standard Missile-6 multipurpose interceptors with a range of up to 370 kilometers, would markedly increase the Army’s strike capabilities from ground-based platforms in the Indo-Pacific theater.
Secretary Wormuth emphasized the strategic importance of Japan’s Southwest Islands, stating, “I think there’s a lot of potential to be able to move equipment, move soldiers around into the Southwest Islands.” This focus on the Southwest Islands is particularly noteworthy due to their proximity to Taiwan, a geopolitical flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.
The potential deployment follows a similar move in April 2024, when the U.S. Army’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force deployed a Typhon missile launcher to the Philippines as part of Exercise Salaknib 24. This marked the first time the U.S. had deployed ground-based missiles to a foreign country since withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in August 2019.
Wormuth indicated that these deployments have elicited reactions from potential adversaries, noting, “I do think it’s gotten the attention of China… It’s an impressive capability.” She also drew parallels to the announcement of long-range fires deployments in Europe, which garnered a response from the Russian government.
However, the Secretary stressed the importance of proceeding at a pace comfortable for the Japanese government, acknowledging the potential sensitivities surrounding such deployments. “We have to go at the pace of the Japanese government,” Wormuth stated, underscoring the diplomatic considerations involved in this strategic shift.
The proposed missile deployments to Japan align with the broader U.S. strategy of strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. Wormuth emphasized the value of these partnerships, describing alliances with countries like Japan and South Korea as “a huge comparative advantage for us.” She also noted that China’s regional behavior is driving closer cooperation between Japan and South Korea, as well as fostering trilateral cooperation with the United States.
As the U.S. continues to adapt its military strategy in response to evolving threats and technological advancements, the potential deployment of mid-range missiles to Japan represents a significant development in the regional security landscape. The move, if realized, would substantially enhance the U.S. Army’s ability to project power and provide deterrence in the Indo-Pacific theater, marking a new chapter in U.S.-Japan defense cooperation.
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