12 November 2013

News Story: Japan military drills missiles on Pacific gateway


NAHA, JAPAN (AFP): Japanese soldiers practised surface-to-ship missile drills Monday on an island at the gateway to the Pacific, as part of a huge military exercise that has unsettled China.

The practice in Okinawa was part of 18-day war games which Japan began earlier this month. They aim to strengthen its ability to protect remote territory, as a row with China over the sovereignty of some islands continues to rattle nerves.

No missile was actually fired during Monday's drill, which was watched by members of the media -- including a large Chinese contingent, correspondents said -- and saw men in camouflage readying SSM1 missile batteries at Camp Naha on the main Okinawan island.

Read the full story at Brahmand