7th Surface-to-Ship Missile Regiment
Active	21 March 2024 - present
Country	Japan
Branch	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Type	Missile unit
Role	Coastal defence
Size	200 troops
Garrison/HQ	Katsuren camp

The 7th Surface-to-Ship Missile Regiment is a missile unit of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. ^[1] The unit, established on 21 March 2024, is garrisoned in Uruma and it is tasked with coastal defence duties. ^[2]

The Regiment is equipped with Type 12 coastal defence Anti-ship guided missiles.

History

In September 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Defence deployed to Okinawa Island Type 12 anti-ship missile batteries, along with around 180 troops, in order to bolster the defence of the southwestern islands. ^[1]

On 21 March 2024, ^[3] after slightly increasing the troops, the deployment was establishd as an independent unit. ^[4]

Mission

The 7th Surface-to-Ship Missile Regiment is to play a central role in Japan's defence of the Okinawa Prefecture. The Regiment’s primary task is to perform surveillance of foreign military vessels in the waters between Okinawa and Miyako-jima. ^[3] The unit is tasked with blocking a possible invasion of the remote islands from the sea and confronting invading forces. ^[1]

The Regiment also takes on the role of supervising other missile units deployed on both Miyako-jima and Ishigaki-jima islands in Okinawa, as well as on Amami Ōshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture. ^{[1] [3]}

See also

• Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile
• Senkaku Islands dispute

References