TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US military has deployed an advanced radar system to Japan's Yonaguni Island, just over 100 km off Taiwan's eastern coast, a press release said Tuesday (Aug. 6).

The US Army’s 3rd Marine Division said a ground and air task oriented radar named the TPS-80 had been delivered to Yonaguni Island. It said this is the first time the radar has been deployed to Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture.

“Operating the TPS-80 is a huge win for the MLR (Marine Littoral Regiment) in strengthening our relationship with the JSDF (Japan Self-Defense Force), preparing for potential contingencies, strengthening our ability to integrate capabilities, and increasing multi-domain awareness and fires coordination,” said Roy Shiflet, the target acquisition platoon commander for the 12th MLR.

The press release said the radar system will be used in the annual US-Japan Resolute Dragon military exercises. Military officials said using the radar in training would prepare the US Army to use the technology in “any situation” with Japanese forces.

It also said that the military exercises will be the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment’s first since its redesignation in November. The US military aims to turn three of its Marine units into Marine Littoral Regiments to create an “island-hopping” force in the Indo-Pacific.

Marine Littoral Regiments can move faster than other units and respond to a wider range of threats, according to a U.S. Naval Institute release.

According to a Nikkei report, the Japanese military stationed a new unit of about 50 personnel on Yonaguni in March as part of an effort to increase the island’s defenses amid growing tensions between Taiwan and China. Japan’s military first established a base on the island in 2016.