U.S. Deploys Typhon Missile System to Japan | Russia & China Condemn – 30 August 2025 Security Update

Russia and China Condemn U.S. Typhon Missile Deployment in Japan – 30 August 2025 Asia-Pacific Security Update

On 30 August 2025, the United States deployed its advanced Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system to Japan for the first time, marking a historic moment in Asia-Pacific security. The deployment is part of the joint U.S.-Japan military exercise Resolute Dragon 2025, scheduled from 11 to 25 September. Washington says the move is aimed at strengthening deterrence, enhancing interoperability, and responding to growing threats from North Korea and China’s expanding military influence in the region.

The Typhon system, built by Lockheed Martin, is a cutting-edge mobile launcher capable of firing Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and SM-6 surface-to-air missiles. Mounted on HEMTT vehicles, the system features four strike-length Mark 41 Vertical Launching System cells, providing both defensive and offensive capabilities. With its rapid deployment design, the Typhon can engage multiple targets across land, sea, and air, offering precision strikes, anti-ship operations, and extended-range missile defense. The system will be stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, near Hiroshima, and tested in multiple drills, including rapid-response exercises across Okinawa.

Russia and China reacted sharply. Moscow’s Foreign Ministry called the deployment “destabilizing” and warned it represents a direct strategic threat near its borders. Spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that Russia may consider countermeasures, accusing Washington of escalating regional tensions. Beijing also condemned the move, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stating that advanced U.S. missile systems in Japan undermine peace and stability. China further warned that the deployment could complicate Taiwan Strait dynamics and East China Sea disputes.

Military analysts highlight that while the U.S. frames the deployment as defensive, its strategic implications are far broader. The Typhon’s mobility, precision-strike capacity, and dual-role flexibility indicate a stronger U.S. posture in Asia. For Japan, the system strengthens its defense shield and deepens U.S.-Japan cooperation, but for Russia and China, it represents a new chapter in strategic rivalry.

The coming weeks, particularly during Resolute Dragon 2025, will test how far this deployment influences the regional balance of power. Whether it acts as a stabilizing deterrent or a trigger for heightened tensions, the Typhon missile system has already reshaped Asia-Pacific security calculations.