Japan to set up Electronic Warfare Unit to Jam Radars, Missile Guidance Systems

Japan is setting up 80 member-strong electronic warfare (EW) unit to jam enemy force’s radars and missile guidance systems at the Kengun station of the Ground Self-Defense Force’s (GSDF’s) Western Army, in Kumamoto Prefecture.

“China has extended the firing range of cruise missiles and increased its attack capability in cyberspace and electromagnetic waves, areas that have become greater security threats. The SDF will put priority on the defense of its command communications system and responses to attacks from outside the threat zone,” a senior ministry official was quoted as saying by local media.

In addition, the Tokyo plans to introduce foreign anti-air electronic warfare equipment that can neutralize an airborne early warning and control system. “It is looking at Israeli equipment as a candidate,” ministry sources said.

Japan’s defense ministry included outlays for the electronic warfare unit in its budget request for fiscal 2020.

A cybersecurity unit was established at the same station earlier this year. In the Nansei island chain, a project is underway to deploy a surface-to-ship missile unit to prevent an invasion of remote islands.

In Miyakojima, an island in Okinawa Prefecture, a type 12 surface-to-ship missile unit and a surface-to-air missile unit will be deployed by the end of March 2020. Such units have been deployed in Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, and will be deployed on Ishigaki Island, in Okinawa Prefecture, in the future.

As part of their missions, the missile units will deal with armed attacks with cruise missiles.