Type-25 HVGP

Japan's domestically developed, ground-launched stand-off glide weapon for engaging invading forces at distance during the defence of remote islands.

Overview

The Type-25 Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, or Type-25 HVGP, is a Japanese stand-off strike weapon developed for remote-island defence. Japan's stated concept is to engage an invading force from outside the immediate battle area, adding a domestically produced glide weapon to the country's expanding counterstrike and stand-off missile portfolio, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. IISS identifies Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the contractor.

Japan formally designated and assigned the Type-25 HVGP in March 2026 after completing development of the initial version, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The system went to a unit at Camp Fuji in Shizuoka, while the separately developed upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missile was assigned to Camp Kengun. Although both received Type-25 designations at the same time, they are distinct weapon systems.

Public information remains limited. Japan has not established in the cited record the HVGP's exact range, speed, payload, accuracy, targeting architecture, deployed ammunition inventory or state of operational readiness beyond the announced unit assignment. Descriptions of the weapon as hypersonic should therefore be treated as attributed characterizations rather than an independently verified performance measurement.

Image - A Type-25 HVGP launcher at Camp Fuji in March 2026. Photo by Japan's Ministry of Defense and Ground Self-Defense Force, CC BY 4.0, adapted, via Wikimedia Commons.

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