Type 17 was first produced in 2012 and entered service in 2015. The Norwegian Naval Strike Missile entered service in 2012 with a published range greater than 300 kilometers, while future Type 17 versions are discussed with ranges approaching 1,000 kilometers or more. Japan's islands and wide Pacific operating areas make that reach useful. It also gives the country an independent option during a gray-zone crisis before American carrier support arrives or a larger Japanese F-35B force is available. With only a small number of converted flight decks, maintenance or deployment of one aviation ship could otherwise remove much of Japan's distant anti-ship reach.
Notable Point · 19:22-21:36
Why Japan values very long-range anti-ship missiles
Pacific distances and possible gray-zone crises create a need for ship-launched strike when allied carriers or Japan's small F-35B force cannot cover every contingency.