Japan Air Defense Units Fire Type 81 and Type 03 Missiles From Hokkaido to New Mexico

Japanese ground-based air-defence units carried out live-fire training with domestic short-range systems and Type 03 medium-range missiles during the 2026 annual weapons qualification cycle. Training began at northern Japanese ranges with Type 81, Type 93 and Type 87 systems, while Type 03 crews deployed to McGregor Range in New Mexico alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force Patriot batteries. The overseas venue provides the airspace and safety distances needed for longer-range missile engagements that Japanese domestic ranges cannot accommodate. The firings form part of recurring readiness training, not a new missile purchase or first operational deployment.