Japan to construct two new Aegis destroyers as replacement to canceled Aegis Ashore BMD systems

The Maya-class Aegis destroyer JS Maya (DDG-179) of the JMSDF. Photo c/o Japan MOD.


Japan is planning to build two (2) new Aegis-equipped destroyers to replace an earlier plan to deploy the land-based Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) systems, which was cancelled in June 2020 following safety and security reasons.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi raised this plan during a meeting held with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition Komeito Party. 

The plan was reported to have been approved by both parties, with Minister Kishi already starting the process on pushing through with the shipbuilding program, starting with Cabinet approval within December 2020.

The decision was said to be based on studies that building sea-based mobile platforms, specifically Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyers are found to be the best solution out of three options being considered by the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD).

Other options considered were using an offshore structures, or using private-sector merchant vessels.

The Japanese MOD previously announced plans on revamping its deployment of personnel on Aegis-equipped destroyers, including plans to raise the retirement age of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) personnel to retain a pool of specialists, rotation of ship crew, and other improvements in living conditions.

Japan’s latest Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyer are the Maya-class, which are based on the Atago-class but with a larger hull to allow the use of a hybrid electric propulsion system in Combined Gas Turbine-Electric and Gas Turbine (COGLAG) configuration.

It also features the latest Aegis Weapon System Baseline 9C with the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system to allow sharing of surveillance and targeting information with other CEC-equipped ships and aircraft.

It is expected that the future Aegis destroyers will be based on the Maya-class, and will also be armed with the Standard Missile SM-3 and SM-6 Anti-Ballistic Missiles.




Japan to construct two new Aegis destroyers as replacement to canceled Aegis Ashore BMD systems Japan to construct two new Aegis destroyers as replacement to canceled Aegis Ashore BMD systems Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on December 11, 2020 Rating: 5

No comments