長射程誘導弾、配備前倒し　反撃能力への転用想定―防衛省概算要求

　防衛省は３１日、２０２３年度予算概算要求を発表した。過去最大となる５兆５９４７億円に加え、金額を示さない事項要求を多数計上。事項要求には射程を現在の百数十キロから１０００キロ程度に伸ばす「１２式地対艦誘導弾（ＳＳＭ）」改良型の配備予定を３年前倒しして、２６年度に運用開始する経費も含む。
　政府は年末の国家安全保障戦略などの３文書改定に向けた議論の中で、自衛のために敵のミサイル発射拠点などをたたく「反撃能力」保有の是非を判断する。保有を決めた場合、地上目標の攻撃も一定程度可能な１２式ＳＳＭ改良型は有力な手段の一つとなる。
　１２式ＳＳＭ改良型は艦艇・航空機から発射するものと合わせて、開発費計２７２億円を計上。侵攻を受けた島しょを奪還するための対地攻撃用高速滑空弾の研究費１６６億円に加えて、２６年度に運用を始める事業を事項要求とした。マッハ５以上の「極超音速」で飛ぶミサイル開発も進める。（2022/08/31-13:49）

Japan's Defense Ministry on Wednesday released its fiscal 2023 budget request, seeking a record high of 5,594.7 billion yen as well as unspecified amounts of funds for many items including the early deployment of a long-range surface-to-ship missile, or SSM.
   The ministry aims to bring forward the planned deployment of an improved version of the Type 12 SSM, with a firing range of about 1,000 kilometers, up from over 100 kilometers with the existing version, by three years and put it into operation in fiscal 2026.
   The improved version of the Type 12 SSM, which is also capable of attacking ground targets, would be a potent tool if Japan decides to acquire counterstrike capabilities for attacking targets such as the missile launch bases of enemies for self-defense purposes.
   The government will make a decision on the matter while proceeding with discussions on revisions late this year of the National Security Strategy and two other key security documents.
   The ministry's budget request includes 27.2 billion yen for costs to develop the improved version of the SSM, including types that can be launched from a vessel and aircraft, and 16.6 billion yen for research costs for a high-speed glide bomb, which would be used for recapturing islands in times of possible enemy invasion.