In a surprising move, Japan's Defense Ministry has chosen an unproven developmental radar to support planned Aegis Ashore missile defense systems. In selecting the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) over the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR AN/SPY-6) radar, Japan has chosen expected economy over ease of integration and demonstrated operational capability.
Despite apparent progress with North Korea, Japan is the worst possible place to take such risk. This decision also puts Japan out of step with other U.S. allies and missile defense partners; the United States is upgrading the existing radar with the AN/SPY-6 for its Aegis missile defense systems, both on land and at sea.
Despite recent headlines and diplomatic discussions, North Korea continues to be one of the greatest global threats. Nowhere is the threat of North Korean ballistic missile capability more real than in Japan and continued improvements to defensive capabilities is a critical element of the maximum pressure policy.