The Ministry of Defense of Japan has announced a new initiative aimed at developing anti-ship missiles that utilize artificial intelligence for enhanced operational capabilities. This advanced system will enable missiles and other units to communicate, calculate optimal flight paths, and adjust their trajectories to counter enemy vessels.
In the event of an engagement, a swarm of missiles will coordinate their attacks, enhancing strategic effectiveness.
Currently, Japan's missiles are launched from land, deployed individually, and rely on onboard radar only at the final phase of their trajectory.
This initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Japan’s deterrence capabilities and expand its Self-Defense Forces' ability to conduct long-range counterstrikes.
The government has allocated 200 million yen (approximately $1.3 million) in its budget request for the fiscal year 2026 to kickstart the AI management system development.
Over the next three years, defense officials will assess the performance, cost, and reliability of this system, with initial deployment planned for the fiscal year 2029.
It’s worth noting that other countries are also developing AI-driven missiles, albeit for different purposes. For example, the Estonian company Frankenburg Technology has created a compact missile designed to target drones, featuring onboard AI and a range of up to 2 km.