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Japan reported that its ship-based electromagnetic railgun successfully targeted a vessel in a recent test, marking an important milestone in the development of the next-generation weapon designed to fire projectiles at extremely high speeds.

The Agency for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shared on social media at the beginning of this month that a railgun mounted on the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s test ship Asuka “achieved successful long-range firing” against a target ship. The post also featured four images of the ship and the weapon.

A representative from the Japanese Defense Ministry’s purchasing department stated that the live-fire exercises took place from early June to early July in the Pacific Ocean near Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, and in areas close to Hachijo Island, approximately 300 kilometers south of the capital.

The organization mentioned that additional information will be shared during a conference taking place in Tokyo in November.

In October 2023, the organization stated that it had conducted “the first maritime railgun firing test ever performed” and mentioned its intention to implement these advanced weapons for “early practical application” in order to protect Japanese ships “against aerial and naval threats.”

Railguns can propel projectiles at significantly higher speeds compared to traditional weapons, offering increased ability to penetrate targets and extended range. They are seen as a possible asset for Japan’s defense strategy, aimed at countering China’s naval aggression and North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

As per the agency, a prototype railgun achieved a projectile speed of approximately 2.3 kilometers per second, almost seven times the speed of sound. Since railguns operate using electrical power rather than explosive force, their projectiles are seen as more resilient and easier to store safely.

The Ministry of Defense started allocating money for fundamental research into railgun development in the fiscal year 2016. In May of the previous year, it entered into an agreement regarding technological collaboration on the weapon with France and Germany.

Reports indicate that China is also progressing with its railgun development, whereas the U.S. military has put its project on hold because of technical challenges.