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Japan’s Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II: A Modern Air Defense Marvel

The Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II evolved into a state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile system, becoming one cornerstone of Japan’s air defense strategy. Entering service with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, this Toshiba-developed weapon represents serious development beyond its earlier cousin, the Type 81.

Its development started in 2005, with the official unveiling of the system in 2014. It features sophisticated inertial guidance by Kawasaki Heavy Industries combined with Toshiba’s passive infrared homing for terminal guidance. This enables the missile to efficaciously engage targets at ranges estimated between 14 and 18 kilometers.

The Type 11 system has an extremely mobile platform with a versatile base in the form of a Type 73 truck chassis. The launch method for the missile has now been upgraded to a canister launch, which improves maintainability and handling, thereby enabling the system to counter, with greater efficiency, the supersonic and small air-to-surface missiles and cruise missiles.

The typical Type 11 battery will include a Fire Control Systems vehicle, two launcher vehicles each armed with four missiles, and a pair of support vehicles. The system reportedly is also capable of being mounted on 4×4 Toyota Mega Cruiser light vehicles or Type 73 Ougata trucks.

Independently tracking and engaging targets through its active radar seeker is an extremely important enhancement in the operational capability of the Type 11. The Key-Control-Unit allows the systems to become manually controlled, independent deployments, and firings without the need for a separate fire control vehicle.

The Type 11 Tan-SAM Kai II is a testament to the commitment that Japan’s defense administration has made to ensure its air defense is robust and modern. With further improvement in its design, it remained an important component of the nation’s defense infrastructure.

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