Japan Sends Troops to India to Explore Missile Drills — SkimNews
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- Japan dispatched Ground Self-Defense Force personnel to India in mid-October 2026 to coordinate potential live-fire drills involving surface-to-ship missiles and small attack drones.
- GSDF Chief Arai Masayoshi confirmed the deployment, citing the challenge of conducting realistic training in Japan due to the 1,000-kilometer range of the new Type 25 surface-to-ship missile.
- India is being evaluated as a possible overseas training site, with Japanese officials inspecting test facilities and firing ranges during a week-long visit.
- The Type 25 missile, deployed in March 2026 at Camp Kengun, has a range approximately five times greater than the older Type 12, intensifying the need for suitable training environments.
- Arai noted that no decision has been made on using Indian facilities, and both domestic and overseas options are under review for drone and missile training.
Why it matters: As Japan acquires longer-range missiles, the inability to conduct full-range training at home turns defense logistics into a diplomatic endeavor. Securing access to India’s ranges would enable realistic drills while deepening bilateral military ties, making operational readiness dependent on foreign cooperation.
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