The Ministry of Defense of Japan has announced the initiation of a new program aimed at developing anti-ship missiles that leverage artificial intelligence for optimizing their operations. According to Military AI, these missiles will be capable of "communicating" and adjusting their flight paths.
This advanced system will enable missiles, "decoys," and other units to exchange information, allowing them to calculate the most effective trajectories for targeting enemy vessels. In the event of an enemy attack, a swarm of missiles will be able to autonomously plan their assault.
Currently, Japan's missiles are guided from the ground, launched individually, and rely solely on onboard radar during the final phase of their flight.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance Japan's defensive capabilities and expand the Self-Defense Forces' ability to conduct long-range counterstrikes.
In the budget request for the fiscal year 2026, 200 million yen (approximately 1.3 million USD) has been allocated to kickstart the development of an AI management system.
Over the next three years, officials will assess the performance, cost, and reliability of this system, with initial deployment planned for the fiscal year 2029.
It’s noteworthy that other countries are also developing AI-equipped missiles, albeit for different purposes. For example, the Estonian defense firm Frankenburg Technology has created a compact missile designed to neutralize drones, featuring onboard AI and capable of flying distances of up to 2 km.