US & Japan Fast-Track Glide Phase Interceptor – Hypersonic Defense System

by Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

Over the past three years, the U.S.-Japan Alliance has reached new heights, announcing a significant milestone in global defense dynamics. During Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio’s official visit to Washington, D.C., the two nations decided to jointly develop the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), a crucial addition to their defense capabilities to counter high-end, regional hypersonic threats.

In a significant move, Japan has partnered with the United States to embark on the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) joint development, as announced by Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD). The GPI is currently a hot topic of competition among three major US defense contractors.

This announcement was made public on August 18, during a meeting at Camp David where US President Biden was hosting Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol. Both the Japanese MoD and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) were present.

Interestingly, the need for a counter-hypersonic capability is urgent for both countries to tackle challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including the rise of offensive hypersonic and other advanced missile capabilities that could potentially be used for coercion. The GPI co-development will enhance the long-standing U.S.-Japan missile defense cooperation and fortify the Alliance’s deterrence posture.

The GPI, a missile defense program, is designed to neutralize incoming hypersonic missiles during their glide phase of flight, which is the longest phase between launch and terminal phase. The GPI will comprise new interceptors and necessary modifications to the Aegis Weapon System for their launch. The GPI initiative is not merely a technical enhancement of existing defense systems but a profound strategic shift in the Indo-Pacific region’s security landscape.

As you know that Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5, pose a significant challenge due to their speed, maneuverability, and altitude. Hence, the development of GPI by the U.S. and Japan is a direct response to these emerging threats, emphasizing the alliance’s adaptability and forward-thinking approach.