How Japan’s hypersonic railgun could deter China’s expanding naval ambitions

Japan is advancing its hypersonic electromagnetic railgun technology as a strategic tool to counter China’s expanding naval ambitions in the Pacific, particularly in the East China Sea and western Pacific regions. Recent tests conducted by Japan’s Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) demonstrated the railgun’s ability to fire hypersonic projectiles at speeds reaching Mach 6, with improved barrel durability allowing over 200 rounds per barrel. These tests involved firing multiple rounds at moving targets, confirming the weapon’s high velocity, long-range engagement potential, and accuracy. The railgun’s reliance on electricity and metal projectiles offers a significant cost advantage over traditional missile systems, with each shot costing tens of thousands of dollars compared to millions for missile launches, enabling sustained and cost-effective defense against massed attacks. Japan’s railgun development aims to shift the regional balance of power by providing a deterrent capable of neutralizing China’s strategy of overwhelming opponents with large numbers of missiles, drones, and fast-attack craft. The