The United States and Japan have launched the Resolute Dragon exercises — with missiles that China can reach

The exercises started almost immediately after the Pentagon's "frank" conversation with China

On Thursday, the United States and Japan began a large-scale two-week exercise called Resolute Dragon. Their special feature is not just maneuvers or communication training, but the deployment of real missile systems capable of hitting targets at long distances. According to sources, we are talking about complexes, the range of which allows reaching the territories of mainland China.

At the same time, the start of the exercises took place less than 48 hours after a video call between US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun. The Pentagon called the talks "frank and constructive," but actions speak louder than words.

Rockets in action — what exactly scares Beijing

Previously, the Japanese self-defense forces were limited by defensive doctrine, but now the situation is changing. The exercises use modern rocket launchers, including modified versions of American systems. They can hit ground targets at a distance of more than 1,000 km, which is enough to reach key targets in China's coastal regions.

For Beijing, this is not just a training exercise for its allies. This is a demonstration of the possibility of a strike on its territory — a direct change in the balance of power.

Why is Japan shooting further now

Japan used to avoid possessing offensive weapons. But China's growing activity in the Pacific Ocean, pressure on Taiwan, and the increasingly frequent incursions of aircraft and ships into the country's airspace and maritime space have forced Tokyo to rethink its strategy.

Now Japan is actively modernizing the army, buying long-range missiles and learning how to use them in close coordination with the United States. Resolute Dragon is not a show—off, but a practical elaboration of a new tactic.

Exercises as a signal — to whom and why

The message is addressed to three audiences at once:

• To China, we can respond if you cross the line.
• To the allies in Asia, we are close, you can rely on us.
• To its own population, the country is ready to defend itself.

Yes, Beijing condemned the exercises, calling them a threat to stability. But for Washington and Tokyo, this "instability" is the price of deterrence.

Sources

1. Newsweek — Resolute Dragon 11-25 Sep 2025: first-ever Typhon with Tomahawk & SM-6 deployed in Japan; Beijing warns Tokyo to stay purely defensive
2. Reuters — U.S. Typhon temporarily stationed in Japan for deterrence exercise; strong PRC & RF criticism
3. Japan Times — Historic first use of advanced missiles in U.S.-Japan drills aimed at re-capturing disputed East China Sea islands
4. Stars & Stripes — Largest Resolute Dragon: 5 200 U.S. & 14 000 Japanese troops, NMESIS & MADIS missiles; response to increased PRC activity around Taiwan
5. Al Jazeera — Russia & China condemn U.S. missile deployment, accuse Tokyo of militarisation
6. Yahoo News UK — Drills begin <48 h after candid U.S.-PRC defence ministers video-call

Japan and the United States are collaborating on the development of new Aegis missile destroyers to replace the Congo class

 The Japanese Agency for Procurement, Technology and Logistics is indeed working with the US Department of the Navy to develop new missile destroyers with the Aegis combat system. According to the information, the contract with the US Department of Defense concerns a technical study on the replacement of Congo-class destroyers. As part of this program, Japan is upgrading its Aegis-equipped destroyers and plans to equip them with American Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of more than 1,600 km. It is planned to increase the number of such destroyers from eight to ten by 2027. The move is part of Japan's new national security strategy aimed at strengthening countermeasures and defense in the region, including against threats from North Korea. Japan is also investing heavily in modernizing and expanding the capabilities of its maritime defense forces based on joint technologies with the United States. This initiative reflects the deepening of military-technical cooperation between the two countries and ensuring the high combat capability of the Japanese navy in the field of missile defense and strike capabilities.

Pentagon gave Raytheon 32.5 million for the production of new missile systems for the Marines

MRIC (Medium-Range Interception Capability)

On July 24, 2025, the Pentagon officially announced that Raytheon Missiles and Defense had received a $32.5 million contract, and this was a serious bid for the future. The money will be used to support the MRIC (Medium-Range Interception Capability) program, a medium—range interception system that the US Marine Corps is actively developing.

What exactly did you buy? 44 sets of so—called LLI products with a long production time. Simply put, these are the key parts and components that take a long time to make, but without them you cannot assemble a full-fledged system. Now they are being purchased for future use, so that they can quickly launch mass production of MRIC without delay.

In addition, the contract includes an additional amount of LLI — some will be used for spare parts, some for the modernization of already delivered prototypes. That is, not just new systems, but the refinement of old ones so that everything works clearly and according to a single standard.

What does it mean? And the fact that the Marines are seriously preparing for a new generation of air defense. MRIC is a step towards autonomy: the ability to turn around quickly, detect a threat and destroy it at medium range, regardless of army or air force structures. Raytheon, as always, is at the center of events — and, apparently, we will hear more about MRIC in the coming years.

Iran demonstrates an underground "rocket city": new details of military infrastructure

 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has unveiled a new underground "rocket city" — a large-scale tunnel complex where some of the country's most modern weapons are stored. The facility, estimated to be tens of kilometers long, was demonstrated with the participation of senior military officials, including Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces.   

Modern arsenal in the dungeons  

Footage distributed by state media shows missile systems, including ballistic missiles "Heybar Shekan", "Gadr-X", "Sejila" and "Hajj Qassem", as well as cruise missiles "Paveh Land Attacker". These complexes are capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 2000 km, which makes them a key element of deterrence in the region.  

The strategic importance of the facility  

Underground bases like this one allow Iran to protect its arsenals from external attacks. Earlier, the IRGC had already reported on two similar complexes, including a base with tunnels with a total length of 5,000 km. Experts note that such structures enhance the stability of the Iranian air defense./Missile defense amid growing tensions with the West and Israel.  

China strengthens Pakistan: new submarines and the arms race in South Asia

 

China continues to strengthen military-technical cooperation with Pakistan by delivering a second Hangor-class submarine under a $5 billion contract providing for the transfer of eight such vessels. This move not only modernizes Islamabad's naval forces, but also strengthens Beijing's position in the Indian Ocean, where China seeks to dominate.  

Submarines as a key element  

Hangor-class submarines equipped with modern missile systems are capable of striking at a considerable distance, which significantly changes the balance of power in the region. Pakistan, which has historically been inferior to India in military capabilities, is now receiving technologies capable of closing this gap. China has already supplied Pakistan with JF-17 fighter jets and ballistic missiles, and the new submarines will complement the arsenal, in which 75% of the country's tank forces are Chinese-made.  

The geopolitical context: the India-Pakistan-China triangle 

The strategic partnership between Pakistan and China is aimed at counterbalancing India, with which both countries have difficult relations. Beijing supports Islamabad on Kashmir issues, and New Delhi, in turn, is strengthening ties with the United States and Japan. Chinese investments in the Pakistani army, including missile technology, are increasing tensions in the region, where the risk of conflict escalation remains high.  

The role of the United States and the future of the arms race  

Despite Pakistan's cooperation with the United States in the fight against terrorism, Islamabad remains committed to rapprochement with China. This raises questions about the balance of power in South Asia, where India, with its own nuclear triad, sees Pakistan's strengthening as a threat to its security. Experts point out that further Chinese arms shipments could trigger a new phase of the arms race, shifting the focus towards high-tech systems.