US Flexes Patriot Missile Power With Pacific Ally

By Ryan Chan

China News Reporter

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The United States recently conducted a firing drill with Japan to enhance their ability to operate the Patriot air and missile defense system against evolving aerial threats.

Why It Matters

The Patriot system is a combat-proven weapon capable of detecting, identifying and defeating tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, aircraft and other aerial threats. It has been tested on the battlefield in Ukraine against Russian airstrikes and in the Middle East, where it defended a U.S. military base in Qatar during Iran's strikes.

Japan is one of the operators of the Patriot system, deploying it against possible attacks from China and North Korea, both of which possess long-range missiles that can reach the U.S. ally's territory. The U.S. military also stations Patriot units in Japan and South Korea to defend its forward-deployed forces and the two allies against regional threats.

Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and North Korea's embassy in Beijing for comment.

What To Know

In a video released on Monday by the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, a U.S. Army unit that provides integrated air and missile defense in Japan and Guam, the U.S. and Japan conducted a bilateral live-fire exercise of their Patriot systems on November 1.

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The exercise, code-named Operation Shining Star 26, was held at the McGregor Range Complex in New Mexico and featured air defense missile units from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Multiple surface-to-air missiles were launched at their targets.

According to the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the drill aimed to validate the Patriot system and demonstrated "combined air defense integration" between American and Japanese forces through "simultaneous Patriot engagements."

An official photo released on Tuesday shows a pair of Patriot ground-based launchers equipped with seven missile canisters. Five of the canisters have their covers blown off as missiles were fired, indicating the number of missiles launched during the exercise.

In a press release, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force said its Patriot units conducted live-fire training exercises in the U.S. from October 13 to November 15 with both the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Army to enhance response capabilities.

During its deployment in the U.S., the Japan Air Self-Defense Force trained to counter unmanned aerial systems involving small drones. This comes as drones have become a significant element in modern warfare, used for strikes and intelligence collection.

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What People Are Saying

The U.S. Army 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade said: "As a recurring exercise, Shining Star reinforces U.S.-Japan defense cooperation through simultaneous Patriot engagements, sharpening tactics, communication procedures and interoperability, while emphasizing the enduring alliance and shared commitment to regional security."

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force said: "[Japan Air Self-Defense Force] will continue to enhance the tactical skills of PATRIOT units and strengthen cooperation with allied and like-minded countries."

What Happens Next

Kyodo News reported on Thursday that Japan recently exported an unknown number of domestically produced Patriot missiles to the U.S., allowing the ally to replenish its stockpile while providing air and missile defense support to Ukraine.

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