U.S. Marines and Japanese Military Deploy New Radar System Near Taiwan

With support from the Japanese military, U.S. Marines have deployed one of their newest radar systems to Yonaguni Island, located within 70 miles of Taiwan. Yonaguni is the closest Japanese territory to Taiwan and is part of the Okinawa island chain.

On July 29, Marines from the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment used a Japanese Self-Defense Force C-2 cargo plane to transport the TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) to Yonaguni. This deployment is part of Exercise Resolute Dragon, which involves joint training between U.S. Marines and Japanese forces. The exercise is designed to enhance readiness and interoperability between the two nations’ military units and their technologies.

This year’s exercise marked the fourth iteration of Resolute Dragon, involving 3,000 Marines and sailors from the III Marine Expeditionary Force working alongside Japanese counterparts.

Lt. Col. Joseph Mozzi, the fire support coordinator for the 12th MLR, noted that the G/ATOR radar system and its transport capability will significantly enhance multi-domain operations and improve overall battlespace awareness. The G/ATOR combines the functions of five legacy systems to provide comprehensive air and ground surveillance, as well as weapons control.

The initial contract for the G/ATOR radar system was awarded to Northrop Grumman in 2019 for $958 million, aimed at delivering real-time, 360-degree situational awareness. This includes tracking missiles, aircraft, rockets, mortars, and artillery fire. The Marine Corps completed procurement of up to 30 radar systems by fiscal year 2023. Northrop Grumman has since announced upgrades to extend the radar’s detection and tracking ranges.

In their fiscal year 2025 budget request, the Marine Corps sought $4.2 billion for ground systems procurement and an additional $3 billion for research and development. The G/ATOR upgrade effort is projected to cost $51.3 million.

The 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, re-designated from the 12th Marine Regiment in November, is one of three planned MLRs for the Pacific region. The 3rd MLR, derived from the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment, was established at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in March 2022. The next MLR is set to be based in Guam starting in 2025, with rotational units from the U.S. mainland.

Each MLR will be equipped with various assets, including a naval ship interdiction system, a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle-mounted Naval Strike Missile, an MQ-9 Reaper drone, the G/ATOR radar system, and a shore-to-shore watercraft, likely based on concepts from the landing ship medium program. Regiments will consist of 1,800 to 2,000 Marines and Navy personnel and will be capable of operating as task-organized units ranging from small teams to battalion-sized elements.