Russia Mirrors China’s Activity in the South China Sea…. Moves Weapon Systems to the Kuril Island Chain

Reuters reported earlier today, March 25, 2016, Russia will deploy its Bal and Bastion weapon systems, which are new generations of the Eleron 3 drone, on the disputed Kuril island system North of Japan..

Reuters reports, “The Bastion is a mobile defense system armed with two anti-ship missiles with a range of up to 300 km (188 miles). It has also been deployed in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The Bal anti-ship missile has a similar range.”

Last year Russia began the construction of two military compounds on the eastern islands in the chain. This buildup, along with the current decision to put weapon systems on the island, are primarily done by Russia to force Japan into a peace agreement. Russia has tried in the past to work out an agreement, but has only been willing to let go of the smallest islands in the chain.

The Islands in dispute are surrounded by rich fishing ground, mineral deposits, and most importantly a possible offshore deposit of natural gas and oil. The Japanese mainland is not rich in natural resources, and they are forced to import most of their oil and natural gas. Being able to claim offshore deposits just off their coast would allow them to be less dependent on foreign markets.

Sovereignty over the Kuril Islands has been disputed since the end of WWII. Russia gave the four most Southern islands, Shikotan, Habomai, Kunashiri, and Etorofu, to Japan in 1855. The Japanese recognized this territory as apart of Japan, and since considered anything North to be the Kurils. The Soviet Union claimed control over these islands in 1949, after being promised the territory in Yalta. In 1951, the Japanese agreed to give up any claim to the Kurils in the San Francisco Peace Treaty, but this never meant anything as Russia never signed the treaty and Japan did not consider the contested islands as apart of the Kurils. Since then the islands have been in dispute, and neither side seems to be willing to relent.

Russia’s move to arm its controlled islands closely mirrors China’s current militarization of its artificial islands in the South China Sea. Both nations are seeking to push out the competition by a show of force. China and Russia have much larger militaries than the nations they seek to push out, and both Russia and China expect little opposition to their moves. By continuing to build up arms, both nations may be seeking to reach a point where they can assert their will on others despite treaties and formal agreements.

Late last year Japan stepped up its military force in the East China Sea to counter China’s growing presence. The Japanese will position a line of anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile batteries along 200 islands stretching 870 miles from the Japanese mainland towards Taiwan along with 10,000 soldiers. With the Japanese military budget seeming to grow by the year, it would not be surprising if the Japanese placed more military equipment on areas near the Kurils.

Russia’s continued militarization of the Kuril Islands will further complicate their instable relationship with Japan. Neither side is likely to give in to the others’ demands or propose a solution that is agreeable to both sides. With China posing an increased threat in the South and East China Seas, along with the current power plays by Japan and Russia in the Kuril Islands chain, trading will be even more difficult.