Like Star Wars. The futuristic gun in Japan is used to shoot down hypersonic missiles

Ashley Davis25/05/2025

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2025-05-25 20:00

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2025-05-25 20:00

Japan presented a model of its electromagnetic (rail) gun, which is to be used to shoot down hypersonic missiles – AFP agency said on Thursday. The new weapons were presented during the DSEI Japan defense fair in Tokyo.

Like Star Wars. The futuristic gun in Japan is used to shoot down hypersonic missiles — photo @hnlehupy4nr6hrm / / Twitter

The electromagnetic weapon to firing at a very high speed of the bullet, capable of destroying ships, drones or shooting ballistic missiles, uses only huge kinetic energy, obtained thanks to electromagnetic energy. Unlike conventional artillery, it does not require this explosive.

Although the United States, China, France and Germany also develop this technology, the Japanese Navy last year was the first in the world a test of a rail mounted on the ship.

A representative of the acquisition, technology and logistics (ATLA) agency (ATLA) cited by the AFP has described the new gun as “weapons of the future”, forecasting that there will be threats that can only be met by means of this type of systems.

This year's edition of the DSEI Japan fair attracted twice as many exhibitors than the previous one, in 2023. According to the organizers, 471 companies from 33 countries take part in them, including 169 from Japan.

The fair takes place in the context of the gradual departure of Japan from the pacifism recorded in its constitution, which was the basis for defense planning after the country's defeat in World War II. In 2014, Japan laid a ban on the export of military equipment and takes the first steps towards global defense cooperation.

The Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) compete for a contract for the supply of new war ships for the Australian Navy. According to Japanese media, the victory in this multi -billion tender for the delivery of the Mogami class frigate, according to Japanese media, was the largest post -war export order of Japan in the field of military.