This would enhance the deterrent capability of both countries.
New Delhi: China’s aggression and the ‘betrayal’ of the Donald Trump administration have begun to rapidly change the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Even the trust of America’s closest allies has been shaken. In light of this, a Japanese think tank has suggested that India and Japan should come together to jointly develop long-range strategic strike capabilities. The Japanese think tank proposed that the range of this missile should be at least between 2000 to 3000 km. The Japanese think tank has suggested that by doing so, India and Japan can counter China’s aggression and influence.
It is worth noting that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has rapidly increased its military capabilities in recent years. With its military power, it is causing trouble not only for neighbouring countries in the South China Sea but also for countries in the East China Sea. China has significantly increased its naval presence in the South and East China Sea over the past few years, including hypersonic missiles. This has troubled its neighbouring countries. India is already engaged with China on several fronts, and the threat from China is also looming rapidly over Japan.
China claims the Senkaku Islands of Japan, while Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal have become significant threats to India from China. Indian and Chinese soldiers were involved in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020. A report by a Japanese think tank states that if India and Japan come together to develop long-range strategic missiles, they could threaten Chinese military installations. This would not only enhance the deterrent capability of both countries but also reduce their dependency on the United States. Developing missiles with a range capable of delivering tactical nuclear bombs over 2000 to 3000 km means that India and Japan could jointly acquire the ability to strike deep within China. This would allow attacks on Chinese islands, intelligence platforms, and covert bases located deep within the country.
In terms of India, achieving this capability means that aggressive attacks can be launched against China’s western and southern regions. India already has Agni series ballistic missiles, which could play an even more significant role. Although the United States already has Tomahawk cruise missiles and a B-2 stealth bomber capable of striking Beijing, Japanese think tanks believe there is a need to reduce dependence on the US. The Japanese think tank proposes that if India and Japan come together, it would strengthen “integrated deterrence” and both allied countries could create a difficult situation for the enemy.
China has the DF-26 ballistic missile with a range exceeding 4,000 km giving it the capability to destroy U.S. military bases. Japan is already trying to acquire systems like Tomahawk and the Advanced Type-12 missile with a range of approximately 1,600 km from the United States under its national security strategy.
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