Type 03 Chū-SAM

Type 03 Chu-SAM
Type 03 Chu-SAM
Typemobile surface-to-air missile
Place of originJapan
Service history
In service2003 - Present
Used byJapan
Production history
DesignerMitsubishi Electric, Kato Works LTD.
ManufacturerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Specifications
MassAbout 570kg
Length4.9 m
DiameterAbout 0.32m
WarheadHigh-explosive
Warhead weight73 kg
Detonation
mechanism
Proximity fuse
EngineMitsubishi single-stage solid propellant rocket motor
Operational
range
50 km or more
Maximum speedMach 2.5
Guidance
system
Active AESA radar homing seeker plus inertial guidance and mid flight command link with track-via-missile

The Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (03式中距離地対空誘導弾, maru-san-shiki-chu-kyori-chi-tai-kuu-yuudou-dan) or SAM-4 or Chu-SAM (中SAM, Chū-Samu) is a Japanese developed surface-to-air missile system in service with the JGSDF. The SAM's vehicle chassis is based on the Kato Works Ltd/Mitsubishi Heavy Industries NK series heavy crane truck. It uses a state-of-the-art active electronically scanned array radar.

History

The Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) developed the Type 03 in 1990 alongside Mitsubishi Electronics Corporation (MEC). The first prototypes were developed in 2001.

The Type 03 was operational in the JGSDF in 2003. According to the TRDI, they stated that the Type 03 is the successor of the Improved Hawk missiles. The missile was tested on November 20, 2006 at the MacGregor Range, White Sands Missile Range.

On November 25, 2025, the Type 03 was deployed in Yonaguni.

On November 30, 2025, talks were underway between Tokyo and Manila on potentially exporting the Type 03. On December 4, 2025, Tokyo has denied reports that the Type 03 were planned to be exported.

Design

The Chu-SAM air defense system is based on 8×8 cross country unarmored trucks, and includes a command center, radar unit, launcher, and transloader, with each unit equipped with six missiles that travel at Mach 2.5. The system can track up to 100 targets simultaneously and target 12 at the same time, engaging fighter jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles.

Upgrade

Chu-SAM Kai

In 2014, the JGSDF began evaluation of the upgraded Chu-SAM Kai, which uses improved sensor and networking features for better range and targeting of more complex cruise and anti-surface missile threats. During the summer of 2015, 10 Chu-SAM Kai missiles were test fired at White Sands Missile Range in the United States and successfully intercepted various targets, including a GQM-163 Coyote supersonic target drone; White Sands hosted the launches because the location's large size and controlled airspace allowed for testing conditions unavailable in Japan. Operational tests of the Chu-SAM Kai took place at White Sands, in 2016.

All procurements are expected to be completed by the FY2032 budget.

Type 23 ship-to-air missile

The Chu-SAM Kai missile is also planned to be converted to the long-range ship-to-air missile with an ejectable rocket booster. It was successfully test fire onboard JS Asuka in December 2022. The new missile's main body is based on the technology of the Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile (modified), which is being deployed by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), and the booster is based on the technology of the Type 07 VL-ASROC in service with the JMSDF.

The ship-to-air missile, an upgraded version of the Chu-SAM Kai formerly known as the A-SAM, began procurement in FY2024 as the Type 23 ship-to-air missile.

Chu-SAM Kai (future version)

From FY2023 to FY2028, the Chu-SAM Kai will be upgraded to develop a new missile with enhanced intercept capability against short-range ballistic missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles.

Deployment

Orders

Fiscal year Chū-SAM Notes

1 battery = 4 fire units

Type 03

Medium-range surface-to-air guided missile

 Type 03

Medium-range surface-to-air guided missile (improved) [ja]

 Type 03

Medium-range surface-to-air guided missile (improved) capability improvement [ja]

# fire units
(# batteries)		 # fire units
(# batteries)		 # fire units
(# batteries)
2026 – 4
(1)		 –
2025 – 8
(2)		 –
2024 – 2
(0.5)		 –
2023 – 4
(1)		 –
2022 – 4
(1)		 –
2021 – 4
(1)		 –
2020 – 4
(1)		 –
2019 – 4
(1)		 –
2018 – 4
(1)		 –
2017 – 4
(1)		 –
2016 4
(1)		 – –
2015 4
(1)		 – –
2014 4
(1)		 – –
2013 0 – –
2012 8
(2)		 – –
2011 4
(1)		 – –
2010 4
(1)		 – –
2009 8
(2)		 – –
2008 4
(1)		 – –
2007 4
(1)		 – –
2006 4
(1)		 – –
2005 8
(2)		 – –
2004 1
(0.25)		 – –
2003 2
(0.5)		 – –
Total 59

(14.75)

 38 (+ 4)

(9.5 + (+ 1))

 – –
97 (+ 4)

(24.25 + (+ 1))

 –
  Budget request


See also

Comparable SAMs:

Notes

  1. 1 2 "CHU-SUM". weaponsystems.net. June 23, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  2. ↑ FUTURE POSSIBILITIES: A PRESENTATION OF THE CHU-SAM MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM
  3. 1 2 3 "Type 03". Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  4. 1 2 "Chu-SAM (Japan) - Jane's Land-Based Air Defence". Archived from the original on 2010-05-29. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  5. ↑ "The Standard Missile-3 Block IIA Cooperative Development Project". Ministry of Defense (Japan). Archived from the original on 2010-05-29.
  6. ↑ "Japan's Plan To Put SAMs On Strategic Island 70 Miles From Taiwan Could Be Just The Beginning". www.twz.com. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  7. ↑ "政府、防空ミサイルの輸出検討へ　フィリピンと非公式協議　非戦闘目的の「５類型」制限撤廃にらみ" (in Japanese). Kyodo News. 2025-11-30. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  8. ↑ "Japan to consider air defense missile export amid push to ease transfer rules". Japan Today. 1 December 2025. Archived from the original on 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "Tokyo rejects report on missile exports to Philippines as it reviews defense trade limits | Stars and Stripes". www.stripes.com. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  10. 1 2 100 Percent of Targets Destroyed: Japan Is Testing New Missile in US - Thediplomat.com, 13 November 2015
  11. ↑ Japanese Test Engages Supersonic Target on WSMR - Army.mil, 5 November 2015
  12. ↑ "中距離地対空誘導弾の取得" (PDF). 行政事業レビュー 令和3年度防衛省公開プロセス. Ministry of Defence. 18 June 2021. p. 6. Retrieved 5 April 2024. 03式中距離地対空誘導弾（改善型）の取得計画について
  13. ↑ Defense Programs and Budget of Japan FY2017, page.31 - mod.go.jp, March 2017
  14. ↑ Inaba, Yoshihiro (2023-03-30). "Japan tests new A-SAM system at sea". Naval News. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  15. ↑ 防衛力抜本的強化の進捗と予算 令和6年度予算の概要. p.27
  16. ↑ 防衛力抜本的強化の進捗と予算 令和7年度概算要求の概要. p.29
  17. ↑ 令和4年度政策評価（事前の事業評価）03式中距離地対空誘導弾（改善型）能力向上
  18. ↑ "Page 36 - FY2026 budget request defence Japan" (PDF). 29 August 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2025.
  19. ↑ "Page 26 - Defence budget Japan 2025" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2025.
  20. ↑ "Overview of the FY2024 Budget (Page 15)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 August 2025.
  21. ↑ "Overview of the FY2023 Budget (Page 15)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2025.
  22. ↑ "Overview of FY2022 Budget (Page 49)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2025.
  23. ↑ "Overview of the FY2021 Budget (Page 49)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2025.
  24. ↑ "Overview of FY2020 Budget (Page 49)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2025.
  25. ↑ "Overview of FY2019 Budget (Page 51)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2025.
  26. ↑ "Overview of FY2018 Budget (Page 45)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2025.
  27. ↑ "Overview of FY2017 Budget (Page 45)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2025.
  28. ↑ "Overview of FY2016 Budget (Page 39)" (PDF).
  29. ↑ "Overview of FY2015 Budget (Page 43)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2025.
  30. ↑ "Overview of FY2014 Budget (Page 41)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2025.
  31. ↑ "Overview of FY2013 Budget (Page 29)" (PDF).
  32. ↑ "Overview of FY2012 Budget (Page 29)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2025.
  33. ↑ "Overview of FY2011 Budget (Page 27)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2024.
  34. ↑ "Overview of FY2010 Budget (Page 29)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2024.
  35. ↑ "Page 10 - Defence budget Japan 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2025.
  36. 1 2 "Page 11 - Defence budget Japan 2008" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2025.
  37. ↑ "Page 21 - Defence budget Japan 2006" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 May 2025.
  38. ↑ "Page 25 - Defence budget Japan 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2024.
  39. 1 2 "Page 24 - Defence budget Japan 2004" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2024.